Isadora, R. (2007) The princess and the pea. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. Genre: Traditional Literature (Fiction, Fairy tale, Folktale) Culture: ¡African-American Award(s): None Grade Level (or Ages): K - 3
¨Summary: This simplified retelling of Andersen's classic fairy tale is relocated from Europe to Africa, bright collages evoking the many hues of the continent. For much of the narrative, the prince's search for a "real" princess is downplayed in favor of "rightness," a pleasingly contemporary angle that is lost when the last princess shows up and the tale resumes its traditional track, her sleepless night on the sabotaged mattresses revealing her real-princess sensitivity.
Personal Review: Isadora's technique is reminiscent of Eric Carle's, brightly painted papers showing vigorous brushstrokes cut and arranged against a white background mingling with printed papers in a celebration of color. Where this treatment goes dangerously wrong, however, is in the portrayal of the three rejected princesses who precede the mattress-princess: The first wears a series of rings that elongate her neck; the second is very dark and tattooed all over; the third is darker yet, overweight by Western standards and wears a dead fish on her head. The successful princess sports buoyant dreadlocks and physically adheres to an American norm. By thus exoticizing the rejected princesses, the tale does an enormous disservice to readers and continent alike.
Kriselda Godines’ Literature Portfolio
Fantasy:
- Twilight
APA Format: Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.
Genre: Fantasy
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 9th-12th
Summary: Twilight is about a 17 year old girl named Bella that moves to Forks, Washington with her dad. She falls in love with a boy named Edward Cullen, who just so happens to be a Vampire. We see Bella grow to love his family and the town of Forks. We also see Edward and Bella both risking their lives for their love for each other.
Personal Review: I feel as if Twilight is a great book but that it should not be used in schools because it has controversial issue and some parents may have a problem with this book. I have met plenty of people who do not want their students reading Twilight so I think that this book should stay a book that is read at home with parents’ permission.
- Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
APA Format:
Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Fantasy
Culture: American
Awards: 1997 National Book Award (UK), A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year 1998, Parenting Book of the Year Award 1998.
Grade Level: 4th-8th
Summary: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is about a young boy named Harry who finds love, friendship, and magic when all he has ever known has hate. His whole life all he has known are his terrible aunt, uncle, and cousin. He has lived in a tiny closet under the stairs and has been secluded from all fun his whole life. We find out Harry is a wizard and will be going to Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here he finds his two best friends and learns about the man who killed his parents, Voldemort. We see the great destiny that has been awaiting Harry and we see that to get there first he must win the battle against the one and only Voldemort.
Personal Review: In my opinion, Harry Potter is a great book that I feel every kid should read. In this book alone children learn about courage and sticking up for yourself when life is throwing you stuff you don’t ever want to encounter. We walk with Harry as he faces his biggest fears; this alone shows children how to show courage. We see love and friendship blossom in this book for a boy who has only experienced hurt and betrayal. This book would be great for kids that are going through a rough time at home because it shows the student that things won’t always be bad and that things will get better, just as it did in the book.
Autobiography/Biographies:
- A Woman for President
APA Format:
Krull, K. (2004). A woman for president: The story of victoria woodhull. New York, NY: Walker Publishing Company, Inc.
Genre: Autobiography/Biographies
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Summary: In this book we see the life of Victoria Woodhull. Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to own a newspaper, to speak before Congress, and to have a seat on the stock exchange. She was also the first woman to run for president before woman were even allowed to vote. This book goes through the hardships of her life and amazingly she has been practically erased from history.
Personal Review: I loved this book because we see a woman who made such an impact in American history that is never talked about. To think about woman or men who have been practically erased from history is frightening. What amazing people are we not recognizing for their amazing patriotic duty to our country? This woman ran for president and made such an impact in her community and I would have never known about her if I had not found this book. This will be a book I will keep in my library to remind my students that there are people out there that are doing amazing things that aren’t always recognized, just like Victoria Woodhull.
- The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
APA Format:
Gerstein, M. (2003). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press.
Genre: Autobiography/Biography
Culture: American
Awards: 2004 Caldecott Medal Winner
Grade Level: PreK-3rd
Summary: The man who walked between the towers is a 2004 Caldecott medal winner. The man who walked between the towers is about a young French aerialist who threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center as they were being completed and spent almost an hour walking, dancing, laying and doing tricks on this rope in 1974 a quarter of a mile in the sky.
Personal Review: This book shows that America is a strong country and can get through almost anything. I think it is so important to display our country as an amazing and wonderful place to our student despite all the wrong that can and does go wrong. After reading this book I would show that through remembering this French aerialist, Philippe Petit, we are also remembering the twin towers that once stood in New York City. We are honoring our country by remembering the people that once interacted with the towers and we still see the beauty of the towers despite their absence.
Comedy and Humor:
- Duck for President
APA Format: Cronin, D. (2004). Duck for president. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Comedy and Humor
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: Kindergarten-2nd
Summary: In this book Duck is a duck that works in a farm. He gets frustrated with the farm and runs for the farmer position and wins, next Duck runs for governor, next Duck runs for president. In each position he sees that it is too much and ends up stressed. In the end of the book he goes back to his roots of being a duck on a farm.
Personal Review: Duck for President is a cute and funny book. I thought it was a great way to intro a lesson about Presidency or Government. This book adds humor to the situation and lightens the mood before going into the actual lesson on government. This book will get the students excited to learn about government. This book also teaches the lesson that despite where you came from that place is always home and you can always go back there for the comfort and safety you need in life.
- Oh the Places You’ll Go
APA Format: Seuss, Dr. (1990). Oh, the places you’ll go! New York, NY: Random House.
Genre: Comedy and Humor
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: K-2nd
Summary: This book goes through the ups and down of moving onto any stage in life that is different from the last one you were in. It talks about how you will be given opportunities and you will choose the right one. It talks about how sometimes you will get hung up and not succeed. It talks about getting up and shaking it off. It says that in succeeding in life you are 98 and ¾ percent sure of succeeding.
Personal Review: This is such an inspiring book for kids of any age. I know I personally got it when I graduated from high school. The Grade Level for this book is K-2nd and in Kindergarten is such a great place to have it. This book helps to shape you as a person and pretty much gives you the lesson of growing up. It is a great book to have in your classroom so that your students are able to read about life and how sometimes it may get bumpy, but they can always get up from it and succeed just fine in life.
Science Fiction:
- Divergent
APA Format: Roth, V. (2011). Divergent. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
Genre: Science Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: Sakura Medal Contest, Favorite book of 2011 in the 2011’s Goodread’s Choice Awards
Grade Level: 8th -12th
Summary: Divergent is about a young woman Beatrice who lives in a society in Chicago that is ruled by five different factions. When you turn 16 you must choose which faction you want to remain in for the rest of your life and must never look back even if it means leaving your family. They use the phrase “Faction before blood.” The five different factions are Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). In this book we see Beatrice go through the struggle of picking which faction she belongs seeing as she doesn’t belong in just one. We see the struggle of her life and experience love, friendship, and loss in this book with her.
Personal Review: I personally loved this book and would recommend my students to read it. You experience love, the meaning of friendship, and the meaning of loss all in this book. I am not sure if it would be a book I would read with my class as a whole but I would encourage my students to read this book and also the book series as leisurely reading in the classroom.
- The Hunger Games
APA Format: Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Science Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: 2008 Cybil Award for Fantasy and Science Fiction
Grade Level: 6th-8th
Summary: The Hunger Games is about the nation of Panem that is surrounded by twelve different districts. Panem isn’t a nice place and keeps the twelve districts from rebelling by putting on the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV for all the districts to watch. One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen from each district is picked to participate in the Hunger Games. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen finds herself as a contender for The Hunger Games and must fight to the finish.
Personal Review: I feel as if the Hunger Games is not a book that should be read in the classroom. I honestly was not okay with the book when I first read it because of what happens in the book. I think that promoting killing is not okay. I would not have this book in my classroom library.
Historical Fiction:
- Dirt on their Skirts
APA Format:
Rappaport, D. (2000). Dirt on their skirts: The story of the young women who won the world championship. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: Kindergarten-2nd
Summary: In this book the little girl in the book named Margaret watches the 1946 championship game of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. We experience her excitement throughout the book.
Personal Review: I loved this book and feel as if it is one I am going to be keeping in my school library. It goes through the emotions of a young girl watching this All-American Girls Professional Baseball game. I love that it is a fiction book based on something that was true. Even though the characters aren’t true the events in the book are. This is so cool to have our students read. Something I would have my students do are to put themselves into the game and imagine how they would be reacting.
- To Kill a Mockingbird
APA Format: Lee, H. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: 1961 Pulitzer Prize Winner
Grade Level: 9th-12th
Summary: In this book we go through the lives of Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and her father, who is an attorney, named Atticus. We see them risk so much to defend an African American man accused wrongly of raping a white woman. We see racism, injustice, love, humor, and warmth all in this one book.
Personal Review: I read this book in high school and I loved being able to go deep into this book with my peers and my teacher. This book talks about some hard subjects like racisms and rape. But I feel it is important that as students we understand the social injustice that happened to African American people and how unfair it was. If I ever teach high school we will be reading this book as a whole classroom.
Poetry:
- America Is…
APA Format: Borden, L. (2002). America is…. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Genre: Poetry
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-4th
Summary: This book touches on the fundamental principles of America as a whole. It expresses how individuals have come together such as through the foundations of races portraying how they interact on a daily basis. The book also reflects how America is represented through history of Americans, and expresses how America is more than just a nation but a representation of humanity.
Personal Review: I really loved this book because it went through what America was for so many people in the book. This book opens up student’s eyes to the many people in America and how America means something different to everyone. America has their own special meaning to each and every person. A cool activity to do with this book would be to have the students go through the book and figure out their own ideas as to what America means to them. I will have this book in my library in my classroom.
- The Night Before Christmas
APA Format: Moore, C. (2001). The night before christmas. HE, UK: Parragon Publishing.
Genre: Poetry
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: Pre-K – 3rd
Summary: This book goes through the events of Christmas Eve with Santa and a father. The father never really encounters Santa but is watching all he does at one house during Christmas Eve.
Personal Review: This book is a classic poem and could be used as a reader’s theater of some sort. You could also use this book as a way to get dressed up and play the parts in the poem. I love this book and highly recommend it for the classroom.
Animal Non-Fiction:
- Insects
APA Format: Richardson, A. (2005). Insects. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone Press.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-2nd
Summary: This book goes through insects and talks about the fact that insects are invertebrates and are cold-blooded. It talks about the bodies of insects and that insects have hard skin. It talks about how insects breathe and what they eat. It also goes through the life cycle of an insect.
Personal Review: I love books like this that can just go into my classroom library. They are straight nonfiction books about insects full with facts about insects. You don’t have to worry about your students getting the wrong impression from books like this because you know everything in them is true.
- Fish
APA Format: Richardson, A. (2005) Fish. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone Press.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-2nd
Summary: This book goes through fish and talks about how fish are vertebrates and are cold blooded. It talks about the bodies of fish and that fish have scales. It talks about how fish can breathe and what fish eat. It also talks about eggs and the fish’s young.
Personal Review: Once again we come across a book full of facts just about fish. I love books full of facts because I know my students will be learning by reading these books and I don’t have to worry about them getting the wrong impression from these books. I will have plenty of nonfiction books in my classroom for my students to read on a daily basis.
General Non-Fiction:
- If you Lived at the Time of the Great San Francisco Earthquake
APA Format:
Levine, E. (1987). If you lived at the time of the great san francisco earthquake. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: General Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Summary: This book is told from a child’s perspective and puts the reader right into the action of the Great San Francisco Earthquake. It goes through many questions like, “How did animals act when the quake hit?, What did San Francisco look like after the earthquake?, Where would you live if your house was destroyed?” It goes through facts and personal accounts of what happened on April 18, 1906 during this earthquake.
Personal Review: This book goes through so many questions and answers any question an interested child would have about earthquakes and what happens during an earthquake. I really liked this book because it did just that. So many students are fascinated in weather and what happens during and those questions are always hard to answer if you have never experienced it. It is book like this that help you show your students the exact answers to their questions.
- When Washington Crossed the Delaware
APA Format:
Cheney, L. (2004). When washington crossed the delaware: A wintertime story for young patriots. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Genre: General Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: Carolyn W. Field Award Honor Book
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Summary: This book goes through the life of George Washington during a period of time in the winter of the Revolutionary War. It tells of the struggle and wins of the Revolutionary War during this winter period.
Personal Review: I loved this book because it took us into the life of our first president George Washington. I loved that on each page there was a quote from George Washington. You can really have your kids get personal with this book and the hardships that George Washington and his army had to face in this period of time in the Revolutionary War. Jennifer Plummer Book: How I Became a Pirate Author: Melinda Long Genre: Fiction Grade level: K-3 Summary: This book was about a boy who had always dreamed of being a Pirate, well on this particular day it looked like he was getting his wish. The day started off with Jeremy, his mom and dad and little sister taking a trip to the beach. While is mom and dad were busy setting up the umbrella, Jeremy spots a Pirate ship that looks like it’s coming to the shore. Jeremy tries getting his parents attention but they didn’t look. So the Pirate ship pulls ashore and Jeremy goes on board with the Pirates. Jeremy sails away with the Pirates and is having a wonderful time at first. Pirates don’t brush their teeth or eat all of their spinach and they taught him sea chanteys. He loved it, but when it came time for bed he asked the Pirates to read him a bed time story and they wouldn’t. Jeremy decided the next morning he didn’t like being a Pirate so much and was ready to return home for soccer practice. Reflection: I really enjoy reading this book to my son. He loves this book. I think this is a great book to share with younger children who have a wild imagination, just like my son seems to have sometimes. I think it is silly and simple for younger students to understand.
Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance Author: Giles Andreae Genre: Fiction Grade Level: K-3 Summary This is about a Giraffe named Gerald who desperately wants to learn how to dance like all the other animals around him. All Gerald felt he was good at was standing tall and munching shoots off tress. When he would try and run around, he buckled at the knees and fell. Every year in Africa where Gerald lives they hold a Jungle Dance, and he was so sad because he was the only animal sitting off to the side not dancing. Gerald finally gets up the courage to try and get out there and dance with the other animals, but as soon as they saw him coming they started making fun of him and got out of the way because he was so clumsy. So Gerald takes off into the jungle and comes upon a cricket. The cricket tells him maybe you just need a different beat and starts making music for Gerald. And then it happens Gerald starts dancing. Then all the other animals come and see, and they all danced together. Reflection I enjoy reading this book to my son and have taken it to school to read o Kindergarteners when I am subbing. They all laugh and talk about the silly Giraffe. I feel like it gets a good point across not to make fun of each other because some people can’t do things that other people can. The pictures in this book are very bright and colorful and any child would love to look at the pictures and could probably figure out the story.
Book: Walt Disney, Creator of Magical Worlds Author: Charnan Simon Genre: Biography Grade Level: 2nd-5th Summary: This book was about the fascinating man Walt Disney who created all the wonderful Disney movies, characters and parks. He made nature films, realistic films, and based some on his favorite book with live actors and animation. He was born December 5, 1901 and died December 15, 1966. All of his life he wanted to make movies and was very good at drawing characters. He wanted to make those characters come to life and he did just that. His first characters were Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, then later came the rest. He started a couple of small businesses that failed before going into business with his brother Roy. That’s when his career took off and Walt and his brother began making Disney films. Walt was a big dreamer and just kept dreaming of making his empire bigger and he did just that by building Disneyland in California. Then several years later he began the building of Disney World in Florida, however he did not live to see this open. Reflection: I felt this was a great choice for a biography, and students would love to learn about the famous Walt Disney. I just got back from Disney World, so I really enjoyed learning more about Walt.
Book: Benjamin Franklin: Writer, Inventor, Statesman Author: Pamela Hill Nettleton Genre: Biography Grade Level: K-5 Summary: This book was about the life of Benjamin Franklin and the many wonders he did for people during his lifetime. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston Massachusetts in 1706. He stopped going to school at age 10 to help his father make soap. Since he had to drop out of school, he had to taught himself math, reading and writing. When he was 17 he worked in a printing shop with his brother, but they did not get along very well so this made Benjamin move on to Philadelphia. This book talks about how Benjamin was so curious on what made electricity and how the wind blew. He ends up inventing the lightning rod and the Franklin stove. He became the first postmaster in 1775. Also that year he signed the Declaration of Independence. This book just talks about how Benjamin Franklin got to where he was when he died in 1790 at age 84. Reflection: This was an interesting read for a younger reader wanting to know a little information on Benjamin Franklin. It had some useful information, but I think if an older student was going to do some kind of paper about it they will need to use more resources. The illustrations were done very well in this book, so a younger child might really like that.
Book: Butterflies Author: Karen Shapiro Genre: Informational Summary: This book Butterflies was as it sounds about the life of butterflies. It talked about the cycles that they go through in order to become a butterfly. First they start out as tiny eggs, then they hatch as caterpillars. Four weeks will go by and they will shed their skin four times and then spin a silky pad. When they turn into butterflies they can’t fly right away. This whole process from caterpillar to butterfly takes eight weeks. It talked about what they eat and drink as a butterfly. Reflection: I thought this was a fun easy reading book for young readers who are interested in butterflies. The words in it are not very difficult and the pictures in this book are very colorful. Most young children love butterflies and this would be a good book to do a writing activity with.
Book: Manatee Winter Author: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld Genre: Informational Grade Level: K-4 Summary: Manatee Winter is a book about Manatee’s and how they survive in the cold winter. This book talks about a mother and her calf (that’s what the baby manatees are called) and their migration to warmer waters. The calf swims next to its mother at all times for protection. They come across a few hardships on the way to getter to warmer waters, they encounter sharks, and they come upon a boat that they are unsure about. This book also talked about how the calf’s need to be with their mothers for about a year, and what types of water they can survive in. Reflection: This book is a good informational text because it has useful facts for writing a paper about Manatees. Some children might need help with some of the words in the text and some may need to know what words mean, but I think it is a great story and children would love to read it.
Book: The Magic School Bus, Lost in the Solar System Author: Joanna Cole Genre: Science Fiction Grade Level: Elementary Summary: The Magic School Bus, Lost in the Solar System is about Ms. Frizzle and her many learning adventures. In this particular book Ms. Frizzle was going to take her class to the planetarium to learn about the Solar System, but it happened to be closed that day, so they went in their magic school bus to outer space to learn about the planets. They stopped at each planet and Ms. Frizzle would discuss the many wonders of what planet they were on. They got to get out and explore on the moon, the teacher if drifted away from the students. They of course picked her up on the way back in their magic school bus. Reflection: I have always love the magic school bus books, and what a better way to teach children about the planets than this book. I have read these books to students and have always great reviews from them. This reading is more for students in third and fourth grade because some of the words are big, but the younger students love having it read to them.
Book: Boy and Bot Author: Amy Dyckman Genre: Science Fiction Grade level- Age 2-6 Summary: This book is about a boy and a robot who become the best of friends. One day the robot gets turned off and the boy thinks he is sick. He tries giving him applesauce and reading a story but nothing works. In the end the bot gets reactivated and everybody is happy. Reflection: This is a great book for younger readers, it lets them use their imagination. My son loved this book when he was younger.
Book: Where the Wild Things Are Author: Maurice Sendak Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: K-4 Summary: Where the Wild Things are is a wonderful fantasy book for children. It is about a young boy named Max who seems to get into a lot of mischief at his house. One night Max was acting like a wolf so his mom sent him to his room without dinner. That night Max’s room grows into a forest and he sails to a place where there are real wild things. Max wasn’t afraid of them and they were more afraid of him once he tamed them with a magic trick. The wild things make Max their king of all wild things. It was fun for Max at first but he started feeling lonely and missed his mom. So he then decided the next day it was time for him to return home. When he returned to his room, he there found his supper waiting for him. Reflection: This is a great book about fantasy, and I am always having to read to my son. I feel like it kind of sends a message to kids to not be so rowdy and follow your parent’s orders when asked to not get into so much mischief. It allows the student mind to wonder into fantasy land, and what kid doesn’t love that. The pictures in this book are very colorful and the wild things are very funny looking.
Book: The Horned Toad Prince Author: Jackie Mims Hopkins Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: K-4 Summary: I read the book “The Horned Toad Prince”, which was about a girl named Reba Jo who lives on the Southwest prairies. She is out playing in the prairie one day where she is not supposed to be and loses her hat down a well. Along comes the horned toad and she makes a deal with him if he gets her hat out of the well. Reba Jo doesn’t hold up her end of the bargain with the toad, the toad goes to her house and tells her dad about the deal. Her dad says she must comply with the deal she made. The toad ask for a kiss and gets offended when Reba Jo says no, the toad then tells her that he will ask nothing else of her if she just kisses him. So she finally does and he turns into a handsome prince. Reba Jo thought she would get to marry the handsome prince but since she backed out on the deal, the prince just left. Reelection: So I found this book at the library in my town and thought it might be a cute little story. I was so not impressed with it and would probably not ever read it again. I found it boring and a little too silly to enjoy. However it did have a little meaning to it, by teaching to not back out on deals you make with people especially when they have helped you out.
Book: The Ugly Duckling Author: Hans Christian Anderson Genre: Traditional Literature Grade Level: k-4 Summary: The Ugly Duckling was as it sounds about a duck who was very ugly. It started out with its mother waiting not so patiently for her eggs to hatch and then finally one day three of the four eggs hatched. She wasn’t sure if the forth egg would hatch and another duck told her it was a turkey egg. Finally the egg hatches and out comes a very ugly duckling. The mom duck took all the baby ducks to the pond and the ugly duckling was a great swimmer. Everybody in the barnyard thought he was so ugly and made fun of him all the time. He decided to run away to see if he could be happy somewhere else. He ends up go through some hard times such as a very hard winter. In the end the story turn out just like it should, The Ugly Duckling becomes a beautiful swan. Reflection: I have always love this book and young children love to read it as well. Children love to hear about the happy ending of the story. It reminds me of a princess story, how everybody lives happily ever after. Children would love the pictures in this book, they are very colorful.
Book: Little Red Riding Hood Author: Jacob Grimm Genre: Traditional Literature Grade Level: K-3 Summary: Little Red Riding Hood is a story about a girl who is walking through the woods to take food to her sick grandmother. She comes upon a big bad wolf and he wants to eat her, but he doesn’t want to do it where people can see him. For some reason Little Red Riding Hood tells the wolf where she is going, and he suggest that she pick some flowers for her grandmother. Little Red Riding Hood does just that, and the wolf beats her to her grandmother’s house and eats her whole. When Little Red Riding Hood gets there the wolf is dressed like her granny. She says my those are some big hands you have, and my those are some big teeth you have. Well the wolf eats her whole. Luckily they are saved by a hunter and they fill the wolfs body with stones so he can’t get up and he dies. Reflection: This story I feel like has good and bad points and whether it is appropriate reading for children. It has been told and retold to students for many years now. I think the good message it sends to young readers is don’t talk to strangers. The scary and bad point that may offend children is the wolf eating people.
Book: Wonders of America Author: Marion Dane Bauer Genre: Non-Fiction Grade Level: K-2 Summary: This book was about The Statue of Liberty. It talked about how The Statue of Liberty was built. It was originally built in France then taken apart and shipped to New York and put back together. It was created by a French sculptor named Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. It was given to the United States from France to honor the friendship between the two countries. IT said that American schoolchildren gave their nickels and dimes to make a place for Lady Liberty to stand. It talked about how the statue is made from sheets of copper wrapped around a steel structure. When the statue was unveiled thousands of people surrounded to watch and cheer. Reflection: This was a very easy read for younger readers that are just beginning to learn how to read. I think it is a good read for children learning to read because they are learning about something important. This would be a good book for students to do writers workshop with.
Book: Great White Shark: Ruler of the Sea Author: Kathleen Weidner Zoechfeld Genre: Non-Fiction Grade Level: K-4 Summary: This book is about sharks, and the many ways that they are ruler of the seas. It talks about how they move around the ocean in search for food. In this book it is talking about a mom shark having a baby and from the moment they are born the great white mother shark do not stay to feed their young. They must learn to scavenge on their own. Reflection: This is a book that would be good for a writing center topic. It is not very hard to read and has some really great information about sharks. This book is great for readers that love to read about sharks. My son loves to read this book, I guess because it shows blood in it.
Book: Hansel and Gretel Author: Rika Lesser Genre: Fairy Tale Grade Level: K-3 Summary: Hansel and Gretel is a Fairy Tale book, written by Rika Lesser. This book is about a family who does not have any food, and the parents don’t know how to feed themselves and their two children. One day the family is down to one loaf of bread, and the mother decides they need to take Hansel and Gretel into the forest and leave them there. Hansel and Gretel hear their mother talking about this so Hansel gets up and gets little white pebbles from the yard. So morning comes and off to the forest their parents take them. They build a fire for them and when the children are sleeping the parents leave them. On the way to the forest Hansel left a trail of white pebbles so they could get back home. So again the mother says we must take them to the forest, expect this time the mother locks the door so Hansel cannot get any more pebbles. So this time the children were not able to find their way back home. The children wake up and stumble onto a house that is made of food and began eating. Then comes a little old lady who feeds them a fine dinner and sends them to bed. Well the little old lady was a witch who wanted to eat Hansel. Gretel pushes the little old witch into the oven and the children head home. Four weeks had gone by and when they got home, they found their father and he said their mother had died. They lived happily ever after. Reflection: I know this is a very popular book, but it has not ever been one of my favorites. I feel like it is very sad and depressing to a reader, especially a child. I know if I had read this book at an early age, I would have felt scared.
Book: Jack and the Beanstalk Author: Steven Kellogg Genre: Fairy Tale Grade Level: K-3 Summary: Jack in the Beanstalk is about a boy and his mother who have no money and nothing to eat. They have a cow, and they sell her milk to the people in town for money. Well one day the cow wouldn’t milk, so Jacks mother tells him to take her to town and sell her. Jack comes across a man who says he will give him magic beans for the cow. So Jack makes the trade, and when he went home his mother sent him to bed with no food and threw the beans out the window. That night the beans grew into a tall tree and Jack decides to climb up the tree. Jack makes it to the top and there is the ogres wife and she tells him to be quiet or her husband will eat him up. When the ogre takes a nap, Jack takes the bag of gold and goes back to his mom with it. After that gold is spent Jack goes back up the beanstalk and takes a golden hen from the ogre. In the end Jack goes for the golden harp and falls down the beanstalk and cuts it with an axe. From then on out Jack and his mother began very rich and never had to worry about anything again. Reflection: I like this story, it is a fun fairy tale for younger readers. I think this book teaches children appropriate moral lessons and inappropriate lessons. An appropriate moral lesson taught from this book is that not to be greedy and be pleased with what you have. The inappropriate moral lesson being taught is that if you do not think before your actions you will be rewarded and that stealing is alright. I would defiantly read this to my students and my son.
Book: Go, Dog. Go? Author: P.D. Eastman Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level: Pre K-2 Summary: This book is about a dogs, and more dogs. It talks about different color dogs and how they drive cars and ride in blimps. Reflection: This is a great book to get kids introduced into rhyming.
Book: Green Eggs and Ham Author: Dr. Seuss Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level: PreK-2 Summary: This book is about Sam I Am trying to get somebody to eat green eggs and ham, he wants him to try them in many places and he keeps telling Sam I Am that he will not like them. Finally the person gets tired of listening to Sam I Am and decides to eat the green eggs and ham and ends up liking them. Reflection: This is another great rhyming book for students to begin reading. Young children love Dr. Seuss books.
Hannah Towle
Miss Nelson is Missing Title: Marshall, J (1977) Miss Nelson is Missing. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company Genre: Humorous Fiction Grade Level (or Ages): K-3 Summary: This book follows the actions of a class as their teacher Miss Nelson has gone missing. It begins when the class is misbehaving. It follows the class as they get a substitute names Miss Viola Swamp. Miss Viola Swamp whips the kids into shape. The students begin to miss Miss Nelson. The students go search for Miss Nelson by getting a detective’s help. He isn’t much help though, so the students decide to stop by her house. They go through different scenarios of what could have happened to Miss Nelson. Just when the students became discouraged, Miss Nelson comes back to class. The students are so happy to have Miss Nelson back. But, Miss Nelson had a secret. Miss Viola Swamp’s clothes were hung in her closet at home. Personal Review: I love this book. I think that it is a great way to start a school year off. When reading it to a class, you are able to use great voices for both Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp. I had a teacher read this to my class in elementary school. Anytime we were bad, Miss Viola Swamp came out in the classroom during the year. I think it is an easy way to students to understand the difference between right and wrong in a classroom.
Dinosaurs Love Underpants Title: Freedman, C (2010) Dinosaurs Love Underpants. United States: Simon & Schuster Genre: Humorous Fiction Grade Level (or Ages): K-3 Summary: How were all the dinosaurs wiped out? This book will tell you. This book gives a detailed and humorous description of how underpants played a part in the extinction on dinosaurs. First, cavemen needed something to cover them up. They came up with underpants. The dinosaurs then got into fights about wearing the underpants. These fights caused the extinction of dinosaurs. Personal Review: I think that this book is a great segway into teaching about the extinction of dinosaurs. It can maybe spark a child’s interest in how dinosaurs were wiped out. Although it maybe a humorous fiction tale of the extinction of dinosaurs, it would be a great way to possibly interest more students in the subject. The rhyming also makes this an easier read for children.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Title: Willems, M (2003) Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. United States: Hyperion Books for Children Genre: Picture Book Awards: Caldecott Honor Grade Level (or Ages): 2-6 years Summary: This book is another interactive picture book. This book take students through a bus driver leaving them in charge of not letting the pigeon drive the bus. The pigeon begs and begs and even tries to bribe the students to let him drive the bus. The students have to decide if they will let him or not as he continues to beg and beg. Personal Review: This book is also very good to teach right and wrong. The students will be able to relate to the pigeon begging to drive the bus. I like that it is interactive. The pigeon asks the students questions. And their answers could greatly affect the outcome of the bus.
The Tickle Tree Title: Strathie, C (2012) The Tickle Tree. Parragon Books Genre: Picture Book Grade Level (or Ages): 2-6 years Summary: This book asks questions while telling a story. It asks questions that build imagination. It asks where if the reader has been to a certain place. The reader ends up realizing he/she can go anywhere in their dreams. Personal Review: This book helps build imagination. The illustrations are astounding in this book. A student could draw and write about a place he or she would like to go in their dreams.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type Title: Cronin, D (2000) Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type. New York. Simon & Schuster Genre: Animal Fantasy Awards: Caldecott Honor Grade Level (or Ages): 2-8 years Summary: This book follows the story of cows that write Farmer Brown a note on a typewriter. They want electric blankets. The farmer will not give them any so they then involve the chickens. The cows finally come to an agreement with Farmer Brown that they will give the typewriter back if they get electric blankets. Farmer Brown agrees. The cows send the typewriter back with the duck who then asks for a diving board for the boring pond. Personal Review: This book is good for fluency. It is a fun and easy read. Students can also write a story about an animal doing something outrageous on a farm or even at school.
Giraffes Can’t Dance Title: Andreae, G (2012) Giraffes Can’t Dance. Cartwheel Books. Genre: Animal Fantasy Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-3 Summary: Gerald the giraffe wants to dance but he thinks he is too clumsy to do so. When it comes time for the Jungle Dance in Africa, Gerald decides he is going to dance. When he gets their, he sees all the other animals dancing spectacularly. When is comes time for him to dance, all the other animals start to laugh at him. This discourages Gerald. A little cricket encourages Gerald to dance. He does and he is amazing at it. All the animals realized that they were wrong in making fun of Gerald. Personal Review: This book can be used many ways. It can show a student the different kind of animals in Africa. It can teach them how to be nice and encourage other. It can teach the students not to give up and to believe in themselves. It can also be used for fluency due to rhyming.
Are you a Butterfly? Title: Allen, J (2000) Are you a Butterfly?. Boston, Massachusetts. Kingfisher Publucations. Genre: Non-Fiction Grade Level (or Ages): K-3 Summary: This book travels along with a caterpillar as it turns into a butterfly. But in this book, it asks the reader if the student is a butterfly. This book “talks” to the reader like it is a butterfly. It then has a picture to describe what the parents of a butterfly would look like. The book then describes what a caterpillar looks like physically as well as its eating habits. It goes through the stages of becoming a butterfly very thoroughly. Personal Review: This book would be good to start off a unit on butterflies. The pictures help make this book. They are very visual and there are many of them. Students could even draw the stages out the way they see them. It could be used with actual caterpillars in the classroom.
All The Families Title: Brown, M (2013) All The Families. Parragon. Genre: Non-Fiction Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-3 Summary: This book shows that everyone has a family. It starts off with a family of bunnies then proceeds to a family of dogs. After that, it compares an elephant family to the reader’s family. It then talks about what eat family eats and how each family sleeps, always comparing it to the reader’s family. Personal Review: This book has wonderful illustrations. I also like how it compares the animal families to human families. This book could be used to teach about science or even history. It also has counting involved with each family and the number of babies in each.
Green Eggs and Ham Title: Seuss, Dr (1960) Green Eggs and Ham. United States. Random House Children’s Books. Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-4 Summary: This book follows Sam-I-Am as he tries to convince an innocent bystander to try green eggs and ham. He tries to get him to try them in every place possible. When Sam-I-Am finally convinces the innocent bystander to try them, he realizes he does like them. He even decides to eat them in every place that Sam-I-Am suggested. Personal Review: This book is great for memory. You can read it to students over and over and have them tell you what comes next. It is also good due to the rhythm of the words and rhyming.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Title: Seuss, Dr (1990) Oh, the Place You’ll Go. New York. Random House Children’s Books. Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-4 Summary: This book is considered a great graduation speech. This book gives a play-by-play description of the things the reader may go through in life and how it will all be okay if they just follow their hearts. Personal Review: I think that this book is a good book to both start the year off with and end the year off with. The students can make predictions at the beginning of the year as to what will happen. At the end of the year, they can predict “all the places they will go”.
The Big Fat Cow that goes KaPow Title: Griffths, A (2008) The Big Fat Cow that goes Kapow. New York. Backyard Stories. Genre: Poem Book Grade Level (or Ages): 1-2 Summary: This book is a book of poems. In this book of silly poems, Griffths describes in great detail and great illustrations by Terry Denton what happens to each character in each poem. Personal Review: I think poem books are great for imagination. This poem book would be great for the students to illustrate their own picture to. It may also inspire them to write their own silly poem. These poems are easy to read and will help with fluency.
Smelly Feet Sandwich and other Silly Poems Title: Nolan, A (2008) Smelly Feet Sandwich and other Silly Poems. New York. Backyard Stories. Genre: Poem Book Grade Level (or Ages): K-5 Summary: This book is a book of poems. In this book of silly poems about mostly things that stink or that are not pretty. Personal Review: I again think poem books are great for imagination. This poem book would be great for the students to illustrate their own picture to. It may also inspire them to write their own silly poem. These poems are easy to read and will help with fluency. The children may even be able to relate to most of these poems.
Spot the Dot Title: Carter, David A. (2013) Spot the Dot. Cartwheel. Genre: Interactive Picture Book Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-K Summary: This book takes the reader through a series of instructions to spot the dot. Each page is interactive. The reader has to spot a certain color dot by lifting windows, using pull tabs, and spinning color wheels. Each page simply state “Spot the _ dot.” The page is the color of the dot the reader is supposed to find. Personal Review: I think this book is a good choice because it keeps the reader engaged. It also helps the reader learn to follow directions. The level of this book also helps build fluency.
Press Here Title: Tullet, Herve (2011) Press Here. Chronicle Books. Genre: Interactive Picture Book Grade Level (or Ages): 2 years old and up Summary: This book is an interactive picture book that has the reader follow instructions on every page. Every page has the reader perform an action to either multiply the dots or move the dots Personal Review: This book is also good to teach following directions. I think that you could also come up with an activity for the students to make their own follow the directions book. Although the book is for the ages of 2 years old and up, I think that the reading level is a second or third grade.
I Am Abraham Lincoln Title: Meltzer, Brad (2014) I Am Abraham Lincoln. Dial Publishing. Genre: Biography Grade Level (or Ages): 3-8 Summary: This book is a biography of Abraham Lincoln. It begins when he was a young boy and continues to the Emancipation Proclamation. This book has speech bubbles that add to the story. Personal Review: The illustrations that are what drew me to this book. The way that it is illustrated will grab a student’s attention immediately. This book is written in first person and in very simple terms. It is easy for a reader to understand. The speech bubbles also add to the story and help with the reader’s understanding.
Who Was Walt Disney? Title: Stewart, Whitney (2009) Who Was Walk Disney. Grosset & Dunlap. Genre: Biography Grade Level (or Ages): 8-12 Summary: This chapter book tells of the life of Walt Disney. It tells of how his childhood influenced Walt Disneyworld and Disneyland. Personal Review: I liked that this was a chapter book. Although the chapters are not that long, I think that this would be a great book for a student to transition to chapter books. This book also has some illustrations, which I liked. They are simple and in black and white. They do not take the focus off the story, the enhance it.
It’s my turn Title: Bedford, David (2000) It’s my turn. Tiger Tales. Genre: Concept Book Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-2 Summary: This book follows Oscar and Tilly as they play for a day on the playground. At first, Tilly does not want to give up his turn to let Oscar play on the slide. It continues on to the jungle gym and the merry-go-round. Then, it flipped. Oscar then began to tell Tilly that it was not his turn to play on all the things on the playground. The book ends with both Tilly and Oscar realizing that they need to share. Personal Review: I think that this is a good book to start the year off with a younger group of kids. A teacher can ask a student what each character could have done instead of saying “no”. A teacher can also refer back to this book when the students need to be reminded to share.
This Little Piggy’s Book of Manners Title: Allen, Kathryn Madeline (2003). This Little Piggy’s Book of Manners. Henry Holt and Company. Genre: Concept Book Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-1 Summary: This book states many different manners. The first page is the correct manner, like chewing with your mouth closed. There are characters that provide an example of how the manner should be performed correctly. The following page has an example of characters that are not performing the task correctly. Personal Review: I like that this book was a play on the rhyme “This little piggy went to market”. I think that rhyme is something almost every student has heard. When this book is read to the student, or the student reads it, they can actually use the rhyme to help them remember the manners. I also think that this would make a very good reader’s theater. HALEY SATTERWHITE
1. Silly Milly
Lewison, Wendy Cheyette. Silly Milly. Cartwheel Books, 2010. Print.
Beginning Reader, grades K-2
Riddles, Poetry and Rhymes
Silly Milly is a cute rhyming book for students grades K-2. It is very catchy and can entertain just about any reader. Also, it has a unique riddle to it that leaves the reader with an “Oh! It all makes sense now!” moment at the end. This is one of my favorite books within my bag and I think my student will really enjoy it.
I think my young reader will really like this book because its cute and light hearted. Its an easy read and has lots of rhyming! The moment at the end really brings it all together which I think is great for the readers to have to continually think throughout the book!
2. Ill Tell you a Story Ill Sing you a Song
Allison, C. (1991). I’ll Tell You A Story, I’ll Sing You A Song: A Parent’s Guide to the Fairy Tales, Fables, and Rhymes of Childhood. New York: Dell Publishing.
All grade levels
Stories, Poems, Riddles, Etc.
This book is special because it incorporates different stories all into one book. There are many stories to choose from but they all are different and can be used for different lessons such as poetry, rhyming and vocabulary!
This is one of my favorites in my bag because I will be using it in every lesson. It contains all the fairy tales; nursery rhymes and riddles that I learned as a kid but never seem to be talked about these days anymore.
3. The Cat in the Hat Knows A lot about that
Rabe, Tish. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot about That- I love the Nightlife. Random House Digital Inc., 2010. Print.
Beginning Reader, P and up
Juvenille Fiction
Based on an episode of the new PBS kids program, this book is like any other Cat in the Hat book. It tells a story about our loveable Cat who takes his two friends into the forest to find his favorite hat.
This being your not so typical cat in the hat I think that the readers will find it to be interesting and fun to read. I found that reading myself that I really enjoyed how it pushed me to have flow in my reading because it was more challenging! This book helps students explore the nightlife within a forest. It is very interesting because it can introduce new and exciting animals that children do not get the chance to see!
4. A Pair of Socks
Murphy, Stuart J. A Pair of Socks. HaperCollins, 1996. Print.
Beginning Readers, Grade level K-2
Juvenile Literature
This book about matching talks about a lonely sock searching throughout the house for it’s mate. Children will be able to match colors and designs throughout the book and may even start helping with the laundry in their own home.
This book is great for the younger readers because it shows the importance of patterns. It makes reading come to life with the shapes and color and patterns! It concentrates on matching throughout the book so focus and recognition is key but it keeps the reader interested the whole time!
5. I can do anything that’s everything all on my own
Child, Lauren. I can anything that's everything all on my own. Grosset and Dunlap, 2008. Print.
Beginning Reader. P and up
Character Books
This book is from a series of a young boy and his little sister. It can easily relate to students with siblings and they see in Charlie and Lola the same things as their siblings! In this book Lola believes she can do everything on her own, until her brother shows her that sometimes you have to have help from another person to enjoy some things.
This book is a great read of children of almost all ages because of the lesson it teaches within it! I think that the young readers with siblings can really relate to the story and the readers without can also learn from it! This book opens up new characters to the kids and shows a relatable figure to help them read smoothly.
6. I am not sleepy and will not go to bed
Child, Lauren. I am NOT Sleepy and I will NOT Go to Bed. CandleWick , 2005. Print.
Beginning Reader, Age level 3 and up
Character Books
This book talks about how Lola stays up wriggling and bouncing and will not go to sleep at night. Charlie needs to convince her it is time for bed! This classic children’s book relates to any student with siblings or any student that has a hard time obeying bed time!
Another book from the Charlie and Lola series that will always entertain young readers! I’ve found that the books are very relatable to young students and always have a great message within them! I like how they keep the reader engaged with the lighthearted humor and fun pictures.
7. Are you a bee?
Allen, Judy. Are you a Bee?. Kingfisher, 2004. Print.
Grade level K-3
Science and Nature
Are you Bee? Is a nonfiction book that can interest a student who enjoys insects, or maybe even a student who fears bees can begin to understand and appreciate them a little bit. It talks about how baby bees live in a cell and rely on others to bring them food; it explains how the queen lays the eggs that become more baby bees.
This is one of the more challenging books in my bag because of the vocabulary used is inclusive to people who understand bees. If the young rreader is unable to use context clues to figure out the meaning of the words then it will be very difficult. Although its great because it tells all the different parts of the bee and what each part is used for. It is also a good book to discover new vocabulary words for!
8. Glow in the Dark Animals
Hirschmann, K. (2000). Glow-in-the-Dark Animals. United States of America: Troll Communications.
Second grade through fourth grade
Science and Nature
This book introduces children to new animals. These animals are able to generate their own light, including fish, worms, squids, fireflies and other animals.
I found this to be one of the most well liked books in my book bag by the people I borrowed books from because it really challenges the child to look for context clues to figure out the larger words in the text. As well as teaching the child that there are different types of books. I think it’s a great book to teach kids about something more real and could really spark an interest in science as well!
9. Kick, Pass and Run
Kessler, Leonard. Kick, Pass and Run. HarperCollins, 1996. Print.
Grade level K-2 (2.1)
Sports
This book is about a small boy who learns how to play football with his dad. It becomes his favorite sport and he continues to love it as he grows up!
Kick, Pass and Run is for the sports fanatics (girl or boy)! Especially since it’s football season and all children are forced to watch Sunday or Saturday night football every weekend by the male figures within their home this book about football would be a great way for children to begin their education about America’s favorite sport!
10. Miss Nelson has a Field Day
Allard, Harry, and James Marshall. Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. Print.
Pre K- 3rd
Sports
In this sequel to "Miss Nelson Is Missing," the football team and especially the football coach at Horace B. Smedley School are despondent. The big game is coming and they haven't a chance of winning. Miss Nelson talks Coach Armstrong into taking a much needed rest and Miss Viola Swamp appears to whip the team into shape.
This book will definitely be featured in all of my future classrooms because every second grader loves field day and can relate well to it! I really enjoyed this book and the story was written very well! I think that many students will enjoy it as well.
11. Baseball Saved Us
Mochizuki, Ken. Baseball Saved Us. Lee and Low Books, 1995. Print.
Grade level 3-5
History
Baseball Saved Us takes readers back to WWII when a Japanese/American character “Shorty” and his father create a makeshift baseball game within an internment camp.
This book introduces history, culture, and dealing with emotional battles which makes it a wonderful book for young readers. Although it is mostly fiction, it has a nonfiction setting that will interest readers. I love this book because it is more realistic than the other in my bag it has a real feeling and emotion set into it which draws readers in!
12. A Young Baseball Hero
Sabin, L. (1992). Roberto Clemente: Young Baseball Hero. United States of America: Troll Associates.
Grade Level - 2-4
History
This book is a biography about a young baseball player in history who was not given anything as a child and had to work hard for what he had. Coming from Puerto Rico he played baseball in leagues as a teen and worked his way up into the major leagues. He was entered into the Hall of Fame shortly after his death.
I think many children will find this book relatable because it’s written in bio form and the boy plays baseball. The theme of overcoming adversity with hard work sets a good example for what I want to set as a tone for my classroom!
13. I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
Child, Lauren. I will Never NOT Ever Eat a Tomato. CandleWick , 2005. Print.
Beginning Reader, Age level 4 and up
Children’s Literature
Like many children, Lola refuses to eats her fruits and veggies! She claims that many of those are meant for animals but not her. Charlie comes up with a plan to make all those foods sound yummy and delicious to Lola. In the end, will she eat a tomato?
I really like this book for boys and girls because it shows the importance of eating veggies. Also I think my young reader will like that the characters are relatable! As well as being part of a TV show that they can follow along with after reading the book! I also think that the words are not too strenuous for a younger child but storyline keeps it challenging for an older reader.
14. Stellaluna
Cannon, J. (1993). Stellaluna. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Grade Level – Up to 5th
Children’s Literature
In this book a baby bat gets lost and raised by a momma bird only if she acts like a bird. Stellaluna agrees and tries to act like a bird and fit in, although one day she runs into her real mom and she teaches her how to be a bat again. Stellaluna tries to teach the birds how to be a bat but it doesn’t work out but they remain good friends despite their differences.
I think this book is great for students to relate to! It shows that all kids are different but that no one is better than another and the differences make us who we are but that they can still be friends! Children need to have lessons like this in their books. Children are very impressionable and to read books like this is good for them.
15. Dolphins and Sharks
Osborne, Mary Pope, and Natalie Pope Boyce. Dolphins and Sharks. Random House Children's Books, 2003. Print.
Primary Reader, Age level 7-10
Nonfiction
Dolphins and Sharks answer many questions about exactly what is says on the cover, dolphins and sharks! It is also a good book for comparison between the two marine animals. It also provides information for doing additional research, which is a great way to instill a passion with students.
This is one of my only chapter books in my bag and I liked this particular one because it comes from a great series which the child could eventually start reading more with the interest! Also this book makes the child feel as though they are older and can handle chapter books which boosts self confidence in reading making it more desirable.
16. Earth
Berger, M. (2004). Earth. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Grade Level – K-2
Nonfiction
This book is about the Earth and its systems. The book describes different stories of happening in nature on the planet and how they come about.
I think that the children will like this book because it has lots of pictures taken from space and has an interesting science view on the earth.
17. Bunnicula
Howe, James, Deborah Howe, and Mondadori,. Bunnicula. Milano: Mondadori, 1989. Print.
Grade level 3-5
Fiction
When the Monroe family brings home a small black-and-white bunny they find in the movie theater after seeing Dracula, Chester the cat and Harold the dog are instantly suspicious. After all the vegetables in the Monroe kitchen start turning white, Chester and Harold are certain that Bunnicula is a vegetarian vampire.
This is one of my personal favorites in my bag because it really attaches the reader by speaking from the dogs point of view. I also really like how the book makes connections between the rabbits actions to the supernatural which will really engage the reader! This is also the first of a series that children will love!
18. The Celery Stalks at Midnight
Howe, James, Deborah Howe, and Mondadori,. The Celery Stalks at Midnight. Milano: Mondadori, 1983. Print.
Grade Level- 3-7th
Fiction Bunnicula is missing! Which of course has Chester convinced all the world's vegetables are in danger of being drained of their life's juices and turned into zombies. Soon he has Harold and Howie running around sticking toothpicks through hearts of lettuce and any other veggie in sight. Of course, Chester has been known to be wrong before...but you can never be too careful when there's a vampire bunny at large.
This series continues to get better with the third book in the Bunnicula series. My kids have loved reading the series because it involves the supernatural and animals. The third book has my little readers hooked on its clever humor and easy to read text. This has been a great book to have and I would recommend it to anyone!
Danielle Garza
Read 4380
April 16, 2014 Literature Portfolio Title: Osborne, Mary P. (2008) Pompeii: Lost and Found Genre: Informational Grade Level: 3-5 Grade Summary: This book talks about the day the city of Pompeii was buried under the fire and ashes from the eruption of Mount Vesuvias. It describes the daily life of Pompeii, and how the people of the city lived. The city was not founded until 1,500 years after the eruption of the Volcano when archeologists found several wall paintings and slabs of marble. It was not until 1763 that a piece of evidence revealed a fact that it was the city of Pompeii that was lost. After many more years, more evidence of how the people of the city looked like was revealed. They were able to find hardened ash that molded the bodies, and by pouring plaster into these hardened ashes, they were able to make statues of the families holding each other or safety. You could actually see the fear and pain in their faces through these statues. Personal Review: I actually really like this book because it gives information on some very important history that I myself didn’t even know about. I like the fact that it briefly tells the story of the day Pompeii was destroyed, but also gave facts on how archeologists founded so many interesting discoveries that led them to know exactly how people of Pompeii lived, what they ate, how they dressed, and whether they were a slave or craftsman.
Title: Osborne, Mary P. (2006) Ancient Rome and Pompeii (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #14) Genre: Informational (series) Grade Level: 3-5 Summary: This small informational book gives simple facts about Ancient Rome and Pompeii. Jack and Annie have so many questions on Rome and Pompeii. Within this book they are able to find a few facts, but also how to find more answers to their questions by doing research. They give many ways on how to search for certain books, how to not copy straight from the book, how to take notes, how to study the illustrations. I think it’s a great book to get young students a start on how to do research on any history topics they may be interested in. Personal Review: I think it’s a great book to get young students a start on how to do research on any history topics they may be interested in. Many young students don’t know too much about ancient history, so I think this is great book to introduce when teaching the topic of Ancient Rome. Title: Crisp, Dan (2012) I’m Not Scared! Genre: General Fiction Grade Level: 12 yrs. and Under Summary:
This book is about a brave cat that is not afraid of any monsters. He’s not afraid of dragons, vampires, olgers, dinosaurs, skeletons, or sharks. The Cat is determined to convince himself that he is not afraid of monsters that may be lurking around his house. Personal Review: I really like this book because it’s great book to read to young children who might have a problem with sleeping in the dark, or who believe there are monsters everywhere. I also liked how it described some larger animals that might seem to be monsters, but can actually be very interesting to learn about such as the sea animals and dinosaurs. They might seem scary, but they can be animals that can be studied and considered great creatures. Title: Paterson, Katherine (1996) Bridge to Terabithia Genre: General Fiction Grade Level: 3-4th Grade Summary: Jesse is a young boy who is bombarded by his 4 sisters and his mom, while his dad is away for work much too often. He loves to draw, he loves to be alone, and practice his running to be the best and fastest runner in his class. He is afraid to show off his drawing because he is afraid of being made fun of by his classmates, and worse, his own family. Jesse meets a young girl name Leslie who becomes his best friend and actually brings out the confidence in Jesse. They build their imaginary Kingdom of Terabithia where they are the rulers of this kingdom. It becomes a safe haven type of place for them. They become very close friends, until a tragic happens, and Jesse is devastated by this tragedy. Personal Review: I really loved this story. I liked that I was able to relate to the story because I have a son and about to have another one. It was a slight review of what it might be like for my son growing up, and I have an insight of what little boys sometimes go through when they feel like that can’t make friends or they might be afraid of being open to their likes and dislikes. I like the fact that he has a girl best friend because it shares a different relationship that most little boys have or are afraid of having because they may be bullied.
Title: Mitton, Tony (2002) Dinosaurumpus! Genre: Rhyming Story, Comedy and Humor Grade Level: Prek-1st Grade Summary: This book is about a group of different types of dinosaurs who dance to the rhythm of the rhyming words used in the story. While the children are having fun dancing to the different sounds and music like wording throughout the story, they are also learning about different types of dinosaurs that lived during out historic times, and their descriptions. Personal Review: With having a toddler to entertain and to teach, I love having a book like this that can keep my toddler interested and having fun by dancing around, staying active, and learning at the same time. I really think this book is a great way to get little ones started on a fun way to actually want to read. It shows how fun reading can be! Title: Donaldson, Julia (2005) The Gruffalo Genre: Rhyming Story, Comedy and Humor Grade Level: Pre-k – 1st Grade Summary: This book is about a mouse who is strolling through the woods where he encounters danger by large predators who want to eat him. The mouse uses his imagination to make up another large friend, who is the Gruffalo, to try to leer the other animals who want to eat him away from his direction. Personal Review: I think this book is great way to introduce bravery to younger children who might have trouble in school with bullies or that just feel inferior to other children at school. It’s great to have imaginary beliefs as well which makes this book a great read for those who love to explore their own made-up stories of different people or places.
Title: Macdonald, George (1993) The Princess and the Goblin Genre: Fantasy Fiction Grade Level: 6-8 grade Summary: Princess Irene is sent away to another palace away from her father. What her father doesn’t know is that there is a city of Goblins living underneath this palace, where they have been slowly working through a tunnel for many years to try and snatch the princess. She meets another young boy by the name of Curdie who is not that much older than Irene. Curdie works with his father in the mines, but he does not fear the goblins. His way of defeating the goblins is by reciting poetry. They hate poetry. Irene and Curdie share an adventure to keep the goblins away and to keep each other safe. Personal Review: I think is another awesome book that I would love to read to both my sons and my step daughters when they are a bit older. I love the fact that they describe both Irene and Curdie as heroes to each other, how they both have strong personalities that work together to defeat their enemies. They work together, and that message I would for my sons and stepdaughters to always remember, to protect each other no matter what. Title: Whybrow, Ian (2010) The Flying Diggers Genre: Fantasy Fiction Grade Level: Prek-1st Grade Summary: This book is about a young boy name Teddy and his friend Ruby who are playing together outside when Teddy’s grandpa decides to make them some toy diggers. The two children use their imagination to make the toy diggers magical. The toy diggers become flying diggers that will help the children on their adventure to rescue a tiger in the jungle. Personal Review: Very cute adventure book for both little boys and little girls. It’s a great read for those who love to learn about different vehicles, especially different types of trucks, and also love to use their imagination to go on adventures.
Title: Rhodes, Mary J. (2007) Life on a Coral Reef (Undersea Encounters) Genre: General Non-Fiction Grade Level: 3-5th Summary: This book contains real life pictures from under water for the students to be able to visualize what it is like in our oceans. The book also talks about the relationships between the sea animals and different sea plants. There are also discussions on how these different animals adapt to the environment by describing their behaviors and patterns. Life cycles are also discussed in this book. Personal review: This is a great book to use when teaching a science lesson on underwater life. It explains a lot about their behavioral adaptations, their life cycles, and their types of relationships between each other.
Title: Judge, Lita (2013) How Big Were Dinosaurs? Genre: General Non-fiction Grade Level: 1st-5th grade Summary: While children may always have questions about the dinosaurs who use to live in our historic times, their questions will definitely be answered while reading this book. This factual book, compares our pre-historic dinosaurs to animals we are used to seeing everyday so the children can actually see how much bigger they really were back then. It also contains many interesting illustrations to keep the children interested in learning about these dinosaurs. Fossils and their discoveries are also discussed in this book as to how they are used to determine what kind of dinosaur was found, how big they are, and how long ago they died. Personal Review: I really liked how they compared the dinosaurs to animals our children are actually used to seeing in our everyday life. While learning about their sizes, they are also learning actual facts about these different dinosaurs and their characteristics. I think it’s a great non-fiction book to read to younger children about what animals are part of our history and science as well. Title: Munschm Robert (1995) Love You Forever Genre: Picture Book Grade Level: Prek3 Summary: This story is about a young boy and his mom, who loves him dearly, is always there to rock him to sleep to her traditional phrase, “I’ll Love you Forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be”. The young boy drives his mom crazy from the time he is a toddler until the time he is moving out of her home, but at the end of every day, his mom sneaks into his room, and rocks him to her traditional lullaby. Personal Review: This book I have been reading to my son since he was a baby, he is now 2.5 years old. I actually made my own tune to the lullaby phrase used in the book to sing to him every night until he fell asleep. I plan on reading this book to my soon to be second son, and singing the lullaby phrase to both my babies until they fall asleep. It’s a very sweet book to remind parents that no matter how destructive our children may be, we should always be there for them and remember the love we will always have for them. Title: Shannon, David (1998) No, David! Genre: Picture Book Grade Level: Prek-2nd Summary: There’s a young destructive little boy who is always being yelled at by his mother for breaking her rules in the house! The author pertains the character to himself as the young boy. David is just always getting himself into trouble. The book has great illustrations that keep the children humored, while some of them may be able to see themselves in Mr. destructive David. Personal Review: Because many children are always breaking the rules in mommy and daddy’s home, this book is a funny way of having kids relate to the story because we all know that sometimes children are just too curious and love to disobey their parents.
Title: Burnett,Frances H. (1962) The Secret Garden Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 3-5th Summary: This book is about a young girl named Mary. After her parents are killed, she is sent off to live with her maternal uncle in Yorkshire. While living there, she is told about a secret garden by one of the maids that live there. After searching for the secret garden, she finally finds it and sees that it is hidden and locked away. This garden was hidden and locked away by her uncle because he was heartbroken by the death of his mistress, whom this garden had belonged to. Personal Review: I think this is a great book to read because they do incorporate history times into the reading. I think this is a great book for middle school children to read as most middle school children feel like they are just finding themselves in their own little worlds, and with this book, they might be able to relate themselves to Mary.
Title: Burnette, Francis H. (1995) A Little Princess Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 4-7th Summary: This book is about a young girl named Sara Crewe who has to move away from the only place she knows, India. Her father, Captain Crew is in the military and has been called to fight in the war. Her father enrolls her in to Miss Minchin’s all-girls school where she gets treated like a princess with her own room, her own toys, and a maid to wait on her. Everyone loves Sarah and always wants to listen to her stories, including the orphan girl, Becky. On her birthday celebration, she is given the most devastating news that her father has died in war. In Miss Minchin’s eyes, the only thing she is worried about is that there is no one to pay her tuition anymore, and because of this, Sara is left with no one to care for her and is sent to live in the attic of the school with the other orphan girl, Becky. Sara is an intelligent little girl and uses her imagination to get through every day without her father and accepting the fact that she is now an orphan/slave for the school. Personal Review: This book is absolutely one of my favorites. I was a daddy’s girl growing up, so I related myself to Sara all the time. I think it is a great book for all young girls to read who believe they are not pretty, who think they are not smart, or skinny enough. There are so many girls these days that want to grow up too quickly and not take the time to enjoy their childhood. I think this book would open the eyes for a lot of young girls and open up their imagination.
Title: McCord, David T.W (1999) Every Time I Climb a Tree Genre: Poetry and Rhymes Grade Level: Prek-3rd Summary: This book has a variety of different poems for children to use their imagination, and lots of wonderful pictures for them to visualize. It uses a lot of rhyming for children to expand their language. This kind of literature work shows how poetry can be utilized in the classroom to stress the importance if phonemic awareness and rhyming words to students who may have trouble with reading or identifying certain words. Personal Review: I would definitely love to start reading this book to my son, so that he is interested in poetry the older he gets and to expand his language. The pictures and colors of the book are really neat too. Title: Kinsman, Melinda (2014) Top of the Wardrobe Gang Book 4 Monster Poems for Monstrous Kids Genre: Poetry and Rhymes Grade Level: Prek- 3rd Grade Summary: This book of poems contains many different short poems of all kinds of different little monsters. The monsters are given different kinds of characteristics and different kind of personalities, which pertains to all children of the world. Personal Review: I think this books is a great poetry book for all young children. My son loves monsters so I will definitely be buying this book for him to introduce poetry. I love that they use a lot of bright colors and shapes as well for pre-k children.
Title: Ryan, Pam M. (2002) When Marian Sang Genre: Biogrpahy Grade Level: 3-5th Summary: This book is a about an African American woman named Marian Anderson. Anderson was born in 1897 in South Philadelphia to a real heartfelt family. Her voice was discovered when she was a very young girl in her church. Her troubles came to her at 12 years old when her father passed away. She still never gave up on her singing, and because of that, she became one of the most famous African American singers in America, and achieved her dreams. Personal review: This is definitely a book I would read to my students, as it is very important for our children to know that no matter what race you are, anyone can achieve their goals. I would want my children to know what it was like for all people of our history. Everyone can achieve their goals and dreams through any type of struggles they might come across in their life time.
Title: Kalman, Maira (2014) Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything Genre: Biography Grade Level: Kindergarten- 4th Grade Summary: This book talks about Thomas Jefferson, who was our 3rd President of our country, and also known as the write of the Declaration of Independence. The book talks about everything Thomas Jefferson did, where he traveled to, where he spent most of his time, and also how he owned more than 150 slaves during his time. Personal Review: Another important book for children to read is about our 3rd President and why he was important. This would be a great book for a lesson on social studies and history for young children. Not very many children know too much about important people from our past, and I think biography books like this one are great for lesson plans for children to remember these important people.
Normalinda Holder
Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack moo: cows that type. New York: Simon & Schuster. Genre: Fantasy Awards: Coldecott Honor Book Grade Level: K-2 Summary: The cows are not happy with the conditions of their barn and request blankets for the cold nights in the barn. When farmer Brown refused the cows demands, they bring the chickens into the demanding note. After Farmer Brown refuses the demands, again the animals stop all the production of milk and eggs. After a few back and forth with the farmer and the cows, the ducks become a go between. The farmer and the cos finally come to an agreement, but now the ducks want in on the action. Personal Review: I really enjoyed this story. The animals really took on human traits such as typing and making coherent demands. The colors in the story are true to life with the cows having their famous white and black spots. I like the real life frustrated look on the farmers face when he find the notes. I never thought the ending would turn out like it did, genius.
Normalinda Holder Lobel, A. (1982). Owl at home. New York: Harper Collin Publishers. Genre: Fantasy Awards: ALA Notable Book Age Range: 6-8 Summary: This is a chapter book with very short chapters and I will be discussing my two favorite chapters in the book: Welcome Winter and Teardrop Soup. In Welcome Winter owl hears banging on his front door and when he goes to answer the door he find no one but winter snow. He decides to allow the winter into his house. The next time he heard the banging on the door owl went to open the door and the winter snow comes rushing into his house. Owl is not happy that there is snow everywhere and he demands that the snow leave his house. In the chapter Teardrop soup owl is in the mood for teardrop soup which is made from actual teardrops. Owl goes to get his supply of tears and finds he is out of tears to make his soup. He starts to make himself cry by thinking of sad things in order to make the tears. Soon he has the tears he needs. Personal Review: Even though I really enjoy this whole book I only discussed two chapters in the summary. In both chapters I feel like owl takes on the human emotions of pity, for the snow and wants to help the snow get nice and warm. Owl didn’t think it all the way though. In Teardrop Soup, he starts to think of things that would make a human cry also, that gave him a true to live appearance in my eyes. The pictures in the story are sort of dark which is nice since owls are nocturnal, so it only makes sense that these stories take place at night.
Normalinda Holder Ramsey, C. (2010). Ruth and the green book. New York: Lerner Publishing Group. Genre: Historical fiction Awards: Age Range: 8-12 years old
Summary: In this historical fiction story is about a young African American girl that goes on a cross country trip to visit her grandmother in the Deep South in the 1950’s, after her father buys the family a new car. In the parts of the United States that Ruth lived in she did not come across discrimination. She soon learns that African Americans are not treated the same as the White people she meets along the way. She is told about a “Green Book” that list all the places that will do business with African American travelers. Her family buys the book and Ruth is put in charge of the book and telling her family about the businesses they can visit while on vacation to visit her grandmother.
Personal Review: I liked this book because it showed that even though the family was restricted as to where they could do business while on their trip to visit grandma that did not stop them from having a good time. The pictures are nicely done and not overly dramatic.
Normalinda Holder Anderson, L. (1984). Surprise at muddy creek. Ontario: The Dandelion House. Genre: Historical fiction Awards: Grade Level: K-3 Summary: Carries mother remarried and the new family up and moved west from Boston. Her doll Molly is the only reminder of home she has and Carrie guards her tight. Carrie and her mother are horrified when they find out that the nearest neighbors are Indians. They are invited over to the Indian camp for dinner one evening; Carrie holds her doll tight as they walk over to the camp. Once there both Carrie and her mother begin to loosen up and Carrie even joins in when the children do a dance around the fire, but she loses her balance and her doll falls into the fire. Running Fawn, the daughter of Carries new dads Indian friends, goes to the fire pit to retrieve the burning doll. Carrie is happy to have her doll back, a little charred but still beautiful. She feels that she and Running Fawn are going to have a great friendship. Personal Review: When I first picked up the book I really thought this was just a chapter out of Laura Ingles Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie” series, but it wasn’t. This little story does take place during that same era in history. The language is the same in both books and the life stories are pretty much the same also. The pictures in the book are simple yet they do tell the story and someone with minimal reading skills could still follow along because the pictures are a true to the text.
Normalinda Holder DePaola, T. (1983). The legend of the bluebonnet. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. Genre: Folk Tales Awards: Grade Level: Pre-K- 3rd Summary: This cute book follows the life of a little Comanche Indian girl, She-who-is-alone, who lost her family to drought and famine. The tribe chief calls the tribe for a meeting to let the tribe know that the spirits are mad and said the people have become selfish and are taking from the land and not putting anything back. She-who-is-alone decides to put her doll in the fire in order to make the spirits happy. In the morning there are bluebonnets as far as the eyes can see. The tribe chief calls the tribe together again and tells them that the spirits are happy with the offering and has given them the gift of the bluebonnets. Personal Review: I read the story and enjoyed the pictures and the book is easy to follow by looking at the pictures. I am not sure how I feel about the story. The story explains why the goods are upset and have sent the drought, but it is never explained why the spirits sent bluebonnets as the reward for the offerings. I would have like an explanation for the bluebonnets. I thought from the title the legend would be about the meaning of the bluebonnet.
Normalinda Holder Wooldridge, C. N., & Glass, A. (2001). The legend of Strap Buckner: a Texas tale. New York: Holiday House. Genre: Folk Tales Grade Level: 5 - 8 Years
Summary: The story of Strap Buckner takes place in San Felipe, Texas; Strap is a gentle giant that does not know his own strength. He leaves the town of San Felipe when he starts to realize that the towns’ people are trying to stay out of his way. After traveling a long way, he came across an Indian meeting and in Strap fashion, he knocked everyone down. The chief was impressed that he gave him on of the ugliest horses, but the fastest horse. The vowed to be gentle and not knock people down, but evil never sleeps and Strap started to knock people down again. The devil appeared to Strap after he voiced a challenge to the devil. After the daylong battle, the devil won, and rode off with Strap thrown over the saddle of the horse. Strap was never heard from again. It is said that he did appear one more time to Bob Turket and Bill Smotherall, but cannot be confirmed.
Personal Review: I had never heard of this story, which is a major reason why I got his book. After looking at just the pictures (book walk), I got the feeling that this book was going to somewhat rough to read. Although it is easy to read and follow what is going on, the story in my opinion does not have a moral that I could see maybe aside from don’t be boastful.
Normalinda holder Roy, R. (2001). The Orange Outlaw. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers Genre: Mystery Awards: Grade Level: 1st – 4th grade Summary: This chapter book is easy to read. The story follows the gang to New York to visit Dink’s Uncle Warren. While everyone was out enjoying the block party Uncle Warren’s apartment was broken into and an expensive painting that Uncle Warren was holding for a friend is stolen. Dink, Josh and Rose Ruth are on the job and are determined to find the painting. The first good solid clue is and orange hair left at the crime scene. All is well at the end, the painting is found and the bad guys are arrested and one might be on their way to the zoo. Personal review: This chapter book is really nice and I have enjoyed a few others from this series. There are a few pictures in the book that do follow the text nicely. There is map in the front cover of the book that we can refer back to when we a visual as we are reading the story. The kids enjoy looking at the map and tracking where they gang has been and where they are headed to in order to find the next clue.
Normalinda Holder Spinelli, J. (2000). Stargirl. New York: Knopf : Genre: Mystery Award: Parent Choice award Grade Level: 4th grade Summary: The story is told by Leo and takes place during his tenth grade year. Star girl walks into Mica High School and nothing will ever be the same again. Star girl stands out in this cookie cutter high school. Star girl does become popular even becoming a cheerleader. After she was on “The hot seat” the students turn on her, but Leo takes a liking to her. They become a couple, but when Leo cannot take all the whispers and looks from the students. They break up. The Ocotillo Ball was the last time anyone saw Star girl. Star girl started the dance as an outcast, but ended it in Star girl fashion. Personal Review: I got this book because it was the only book left on the table. I was very happy with the beginning of the story and did not want to put it down. In the middle of the story, it starts to get very good and I was flipping pages like a mad person, but after the dance, I changed my mind on the book. We are not told what happens to Star girl, we are left to infer what might have happened to her. I am the type of persona that needs close sure I guess. Not knowing what happen to Star girl is not seating well with me.
Normalinda Holder
Blume, J. (2009). Tales of a fourth grade nothing. New York: Penguin Group.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Young Reader’s Choice
Grade Level: 3rd & 4th Grade
Summary: This is a 10 chapter, chapter book. We follow the life of Peter Hatcher and all the mischief he seems to fid. His little brother “Fudge” just always seems to be in the center of all that mischief. This book starts with peter winning a turtle at a birthday party and his battle to keep his little brother Fudge out of his room and out of his stuff including the turtle Dribble. We are taken on a journey from having to entertain his ads clients, losing a spot on a commercial to his little brother, getting blamed when his brother got hurt at the part and finally when his brother did the unthinkable, he swallowed Dribble the turtle.
Personal Review: I can relate to what Peter is going through, since I am the oldest in my family and I always got in trouble for things my siblings did. The author Judy Blume did a great job in describing what is going on during the stories. I could really see the rooms and the action going on in the rooms. I could feel the heart ache while Fudge was in the hospital after swallowing Dribble. Most of all I really felt for Peter, since I knew exactly how he felt since I am the oldest sister in my family.
Normalinda Holder Soto, G., & Martinez, E. (2002). Too many tamales. Weston, Conn.: Weston Woods Studios. Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade Level: 4th grade Summary: Maria is just like any other child, curious. The phone rang while Maria was helping her mom make the Christmas tamales that is when Maria saw the shiny diamond ring sitting on the counter. She put the ring on only for a few seconds and went back to making the tamales. She watched, as the ring would disappear into the masa. Later that day her aunts, uncles, and cousins came over and that is when she realized that she has no idea where she put the diamond ring. She and the cousin run downstairs and look at the twenty-four tamales piled high in the kitchen and realize that the ring has got to be in one of the tamales. They are left no choice but to eat the tamales until the find the ring. When the last tamale is eaten and the ring is not found Maria knows what she has to do. She goes to tell her mother, that is when she sees the ring on her mother’s finger. After she confesses to her mother, her aunt says that is okay, we will just have to make another batch. Personal Review: I can sum up what I think of the book in one word “Wonderful.” Everything is wonderful in this story. The watercolor pictures and the personal features of the people in the story are perfect. This story could have taken place at my house growing up.
Normalinda Holder Wing, N., & Petach, H. (2000).The night before Valentine's Day. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. Genre: Rhyming Age Level: 4-8 Summary: This cute book uses the same idea as “The Night before Christmas.” The story follows a classroom of students getting ready for their Valentines party the next day. The last words in the sentence all rhyme making the story cute. Personal Review: I am adding this book to my class library. I have re-read the story repeatedly since I found the book. The pictures are kid friendly and cartoonish. Even the animals in the story are in love. You could follow the story with only pictures if you needed too. The only thing is that the story leads you to believe that on party days at school, the whole day is just one big party, which we know is not true.
Normalinda Holder Ward, J., & Gray, S. (2007).There was a coyote who swallowed a flea. Flagstaff, Ariz.: Rising Moon. Genre: Rhyming Grade Level: 3rd grade Summary: The silly coyote swallows everything that crosses his path, it all started with a flea he plucked from his knee and ends with him trying to swallow the moon. Personal Review: The pictures are bright, cartoonish, and entertaining. The story gets more and more outrageous in the things the coyote swallows as the story progresses, but I could not stop turning the pages to see what this silly coyote was going to swallow next.
Normalinda Holder Potter, B. (1987).The tale of Johnny Town-Mouse (Original and authorized ed.). Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: F. Warne. Genre: Fable Age level: 2-6 Summary: Timmy Willie is a country mouse that fell asleep in vegetable hamper that gets send to the city once a week. When Timmy Willie wakes up, he is in the city and has no idea how to get back to the country. He makes friends with some town mice, but is having trouble getting use to the town life and longs to get back home in the country. There is too much noise and commotion in town. Johnny Town-Mouse notices that Timmy Willie is losing weight and looks very sad. Johnny Tow-Mouse helps Timmy Willie get back to the country. He tells him to get back in the basket, because the basket goes back empty for the farmer to fill it with vegetable once a week. As Timmy Willie is leaving Johnny Town-Mouse promises to visit him soon. Johnny Town-Mouse does visit Timmy Willie, but soon realizes that this is not the life for him either. The cows mooing scare him and he is not use to walking on mud. Johnny Town-Mouse leaves on the next empty vegetable basket. They realize that there is a place for everyone. Personal Review: I liked the story itself, but the actual book is very small and could be hard for little hands to use. The pictures are colorful but small and I do not think that young children would be entertained for very long. The book is set up with pictures on one side of the book and the text on the other side, making it look like a lot of reading. A struggling reader would not pick this book to read.
Normalinda Holder Pfister, M. (1992).The rainbow fish. New York: North-South Books. Genre: Fable Age Level: 3-10 Summary: The rainbow fish loves his shinny scales; she loves the way the shine and glitters in the water as she swims. When the other fish invite her to play with them she would just continue swimming. One little fish asked for one of her shinny scales and the Rainbow fish just laughed at the little fish. Then the other fish did not want to be around her anymore and did not invite her to play with them again. Rainbow Fish seeks the advice from the wise octopus, the octopus tells the rainbow fish to share her shinny scales with the other fish. The next time the little blue fish asked her for a shiny scale Rainbow Fish hand the little fish one of her small scales. The other fish gather around and she starts to hand out scales until she only has one scale left. Then all the fish including Rainbow fish go off to play. Personal Review: This is one of my favorite stories and I do a whole lesson on this book. The book is easy to read and follow along. The pictures are dark but I think that is so the shiny scales will stand out more. The pictures go along with the text, but you would have to read some of the text in order to really follow what is going on. The lesson at the end of the story means to me that pride will only get in the way of making friends and really being happy.
Normalinda Holder Hahn, M. D. (1986).Wait till Helen comes: a ghost story. New York: Clarion Books. Genre: Horror Age level: 9-12 Summary: Little nine-year-old Heather has made Molly and Michael’s life horrible ever since their parents got married. Things get worse when the family moves out in the middle of nowhere to live in a house that once was a church. There is also a cemetery at the edge of the property and Heather makes friends with an evil spirit Helen. Once Helen shows up things get bad and almost deadly for Heather and Molly. Young Heather is also battling a big, ugly secret about the fire that killed her mother. Heather tells Molly that she started the fire that killed her mother and that her father would just hate her if he ever found out the truth. While Heather and molly are trapped in, the cellar of Helens old house Helen seems to have also made peace with her past and crosses over with her mother and father. Things get better between all the children at the end. Personal Review: I liked the story, but is geared more towards bigger kids. The story does get intense at some parts. There are not pictures in the story but there is a map in the beginning to the reader knows how where things are taking place at.
Normalinda Holder Charles, V. M., & Parkins, D. (2007).Don't walk alone at night!. Toronto: Tundra Books. Genre: Horror Age Level: 5-8 Summary: This is a cute chapter book for young readers. This book contains five short stories, each told my one of the three boys that are walking their friend home after his mother car will not start. Although the walk is not that, long they do have to go through a cemetery. Each boy says that they are not scared but do try to outdo each other my trying to say the scariest story they can think of, by the time they reach their fiends house they are a bit rattled and do accept the ride from their friends mom that says the car is now working. Personal Review: I loved this little chapter book. There are pictures on almost all the pages, but the pictures are in black and white, which just adds to the mystery and suspense of this story. At the end of the book there is a writing activity that the class and work on.
Normalinda Holder Armour, C. ().Volcanoes. Huntington Beach: Teacher created materials. Genre: Informational Age level: 5-9 Summary: This book tells us all about what makes a volcano and how they work. The book explains the difference between active and dormant volcanoes. We are given a map of where volcanoes are found and we are given a map of the “Ring of Fire.” Important details of the volcanoes are labeled and vocabulary is listed on the page the word is found on. Personal Review: I like that the words are large print and easy to read. The labels are clear and readable. I really like that the pictures are real world and not cartoonish.
Normalinda Holder Rice, H. (2012).Step into the rainforest. Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials. Genre: Informational Age Level: 5-9 Summary: We told the importance of the rainforest and how important it is to protect the rainforest and all its creations. There are little facts on the pages about the rainforest a globe of the earth is on one of the pages and shows where the rainforests are located. We are introduced to the many layers of the rainforest and then all the wonderful animals in the rainforest.
Miriam Fuentes
Literature Portfolio
Read 4380
Title:Spinelli, J. (2002). Loser. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 4-8th Grade
Summary: Loser invites the reader into the inner world of a young boy named Donald Zinkoff as he grows up and explores the new things in his world that each year brings. Zinkoff stands out and is different from his classmates but he remains happily untouched by the negativity directed towards him and takes great joy in each new challenge he faces and each personal victory. The book ends on a positive note that prompts reflection by encouraging the reader to create their own closure for the story.
Personal Reflection: I really loved this book because it was unique and radically different from my expectations. It’s not your typical coming of age story and I think this is what keeps the reader hooked until they finish it. I also like that Spinelli doesn’t present an obvious conclusion that readers are supposed to reach after reading this story. I feel that it encourages more independent thought and allows the reader to connect to the story in their own way.
Title: Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 9-12th Grade
Summary: Life was normal for Melinda Sordino until one summer night at a party, when an older student takes advantage of her. Ostracized by friends and classmates who don’t believe her, she withdraws and refuses to speak. Fighting against vicious rumors and harassed by the guy who used her, she learns to stand up for herself and speak out when he tries to hurt her again.
Personal Reflection: The author takes on a difficult subject and I like it because of the many messages embedded within it along with the very obvious one Laurie intended for readers. It is empowering to anyone who has had to fight the personal battle of finding peace and closure after a traumatic event and I think it would be a good choice for anyone who has ever struggled with finding their voice amidst so much discord from within and outside themselves.
Title: Cooper, S. (1973). The Dark is Rising ([1st ed.). New York: Atheneum.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 5-9th Grade
Summary: When Will Stanton turns eleven he learns he is no ordinary boy. The last of the ‘Old Ones’, immortals that are destined to fight the forces of darkness, he is tasked with finding the six signs that will give the Light an advantage and stop the Dark from shadowing everything. Will learns to accept the responsibilities that come with his power and bear the weight of his destiny as the Seeker. This is the second book in the series The Dark is Rising Sequence.
Personal Reflection: I loved how this book was written. It pulls the reader into the story because you are learning how everything works right along with Will. I also think Susan develops her characters exceptionally well. Will is a surprisingly mature and deep character despite his age and yet he is still relatable. I think this book is fun and has a different flavor than I’ve seen in a lot of fantasy books. It’s a good choice to pique a student’s interest.
Title: Jacques, B. (1999). Marlfox. New York: Philomel Books.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 6th Grade
Summary: The Abbey of Redwall is in trouble again when the mysterious villains known as the Marlfoxes, steal the abbey’s treasured tapestry depicting the abbey hero Martin the Warrior. Determined to bring it back four young friends, prompted by Martin’s spirit, band together to get it back and secure the safety of all of Mossflower and Redwall when the conniving foxes set their eyes on the abbey itself.
Personal Reflection: I grew up on this series and I think it’s fantastic. It has animism, adventure and plenty of good battles. One of the great things about this series is students don’t have to read it in chronological order because each book can stand on its own. Another thing I always appreciated about this series is that while the books have a predictable theme, Brian Jacques has equal doses of tragedy and victory so it keeps it from feeling cliché. Each book has its own unique story to share, so it keeps readers coming back for more and keeps the interest alive.
Title: Sobol, D. J. (1963). Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective. New York: T. Nelson.
Genre: Mystery
Reading Level: 3rd Grade
Summary: Encyclopedia Brown is a super, smart ten-year old boy who helps his father solve cases by using critical thinking and finding the mistakes the criminals make. Each “chapter” is a short story/case and invites readers to guess how Encyclopedia Brown solved each mystery by leaving important clues in the stories. There is an answer key in the back that allows readers to check their predictions and find out how he solved the crime.
Personal Reflection: I really like this series because all the books are interactive and help students develop comprehension and critical thinking. It’s a great book for reading aloud and a fun activity you can include in a classroom. Students need to be challenged and this is a good way to challenge them as well as encourage reading because the chapters aren’t intimidating.
Title: Keene, C. (1961). Nancy Drew Mystery Stories: The Mystery at Lilac Inn. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Genre: Mystery
Reading Level: 6-8th Grade
Summary: Nancy begins investigating the mysterious haunting at her friend’s inn when she learns that someone has broken into her room at home, stolen some of her things and impersonated her. With no leads she returns to the inn only to witness the theft of her friend’s priceless diamonds. She soon connects the two events together and sets off to find the culprit responsible. Using her sharp mind and great, sleuthing abilities she finds the hideout, narrowly escapes death and is able to return the gems to her friend.
Personal Reflection: I think the Nancy Drew Series is great. The female, super sleuth is a great character and the adventures she and her friends have are always fun to read about. I think the book is a good length too and there are so many books in the series that once a reader is hooked, they’ll have plenty more adventures to choose from. Another fun tie to the series is the pc games and movie that are based off of the mysteries.
Title: Beckett-Bowman, L. (2008). Seashore. Saffron Hill, London: Usborne Publishing Ltd.
Genre: Informational
Reading Level: 3-5th grade
Summary: This book invites readers to discover the unique plants and animals that live along the seashore and learn about the environment these organisms live in. This book is broken up into different sections so readers can switch gears and focus on manageable chunks.
Personal Reflection: I like this book because it presents information in a very accessible way. The layout is great and doesn’t look intimidating to a reader. I also like that the book doesn’t “dumb” the science down but includes proper terms. It’s a good book to choose to use as to extend or support a lesson on marine life.
Title: French, V. (2003). Growing Frogs. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Informational; Picture book; Nonfiction
Reading Level: K-3rd
Summary: A young girl and her mother discover and learn about the life cycle of frogs by catching some tadpoles and watching them grow. The format is unique and brings a storybook element to the book but all the insets with frog facts and the information is factual and correct.
Personal Reflection: I think this book is a fantastic way to get students excited not just about reading, but about learning. This isn’t your typical dry collection of facts. The information is presented through a story and frog facts are included throughout the book. It does make this book a bit difficult to classify because it’s part picture book and part informational. I’ve also seen it simply classified as non-fiction. Regardless I think I would consider it information because of the content and the features it has that are common for informational texts.
Title: Prelutsky, J. (1986). Read-aloud Rhymes for the Very Young. New York: A. Knopf.
Genre: Poetry
Reading Level: K-2nd Grade
Summary: This is a collection of poems from various authors targeting young students. The theme of the book is childhood with all its little victories, wonders and curiosities. The overall tone of the book is light-hearted and perfect for getting children interested in poetry. Clever illustrations bring the poems to life and the length of each poem is appropriate for the intended audience.
Personal Reflection: I really like this book as a good introduction to poetry for young students. It was created with them in mind so the format is meant to be appealing and unintimidating to them. I think this is a good book for students to reference for activities like creating their own poems and getting used to the style and purpose of poetry.
Title: Cook, R. J. (1958). One Hundred and One Famous Poems, With a Prose Supplement: An Anthology (Rev. ed.). Chicago: Reilly & Lee.
Genre: Poetry
Reading Level: 4-12th Grade
Summary: This book is a compilation of 101 classic and well known poems like The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe and Oh Captain, My Captain by Walt Whitman. Other contributors include poets Emily Dickenson, William Shakespeare and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Personal Reflection: I always loved this book growing up. I still remember my mother assigning me poems to memorize and recite or just browsing through it to see what other poets had written. I think this is a great book to have because it offers a wide variety of themes and styles students to become familiar with and includes a lot of classic poetry that I feel is important for students to be exposed to and learn.
Title: Denenberg, B. (2003). The Royal Diaries: Elisabeth the Princess Bride. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level: 6-8th Grade
Summary: Elisabeth is a stubborn, free-spirited girl who loves her freedom and is quite the opposite of her quiet, collected and lady-like sister Helene. Her mother and aunt, the Archduchess, arrange for a court visit with goal of arranging a marriage between Helene and the Emperor Franz Joseph. To everyone’s surprise, the Emperor instead selects Elisabeth as his bride and Elisabeth must take up the challenge of learning to fulfill her future role as Empress of Austria.
Personal Reflection: I really enjoyed this book because Elisabeth is a dynamic character and this book draws the reader into this time period and the real events that happened. Even thought it’s written as a diary it, the story moves along smoothly and the reader can easily follow along. I think this format and this series really helps readers connect with these historical figures and brings history to life in a fun and original way.
Title: Reece, C. L. (1998). The American Adventure: The Mayflower Adventure. Uhrichsville, Ohio: Barbour Pub.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level: 3-5th Grade
Summary: Siblings John and Sarah are on an adventure. Their family has decided to make the move to the New World aboard the Mayflower. Excitement runs high at the beginning of the journey but things start to get rough the farther from land they get. Frightening storms, sickness and tragedy will test everyone aboard the ship but once they reach land they’ll discover that their courage and perseverance was worth it in the end.
Personal Reflection: I love this series because a reader can take a walk through history and learn about important events by reading each book. The authors do a fantastic job of creating cliff hangars and enticing the reader to keep going to the next chapter to figure out what happens next. Another thing I always appreciated about this series is how it’s appealing to both boys and girls so everyone can get into it and find a character to relate to. I do feel it is important to note that the different characters’ faith and beliefs plays a role in their actions so that is something to be mindful of if you plan to read this series or suggest it to a student.
Title: Wood, D., & Wood, A. (1984). The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. Auburn, ME: Child's Play (International).
Genre: Picture Book
Reading Level: Pre-K to 1st
Summary: One little mouse can’t wait to eat his giant, delicious strawberry but everyone knows bears love them too and the sweet, ripe smell draws a hungry bear to the mouse. This mouse is determined to not lose his strawberry so he shares it with his reader to keep it safe from the bear.
Personal Reflection: I think this story is absolutely adorable and the illustrations are wonderful. The colors are bright and help engage the reader along with the way the book is written. I think kids will love the mouse and have a lot of fun with the book.
Title: Neuschwander, C. (1999). Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math
Adventure. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Genre: Picture Book; Educational; Nonfiction
Reading Level: 3-7th Grade
Summary: When the knight Sir Circumference gets a terrible bellyache during his midday meal, he sends his son Radius to find the doctor and bring back a cure. Radius races to the castle and brings back a jar that he thinks will help his father. To their mutual horror he turns into a dragon. Now Radius must unravel a riddle to get the cure that will turn his father back into a human before time runs out and he’s stuck that way forever.
Personal Reflection: I am a huge fan of books that can serve multiple purposes. I actually heard about this book in a math class and I think it’s brilliant. It teaches children about circumference, diameter and pi in a fun way. Traditionally math is a very unpopular subject and I think this is not only a great way to engage students with a fun story but to help them learn something educational as well.
Title:Sewell, A. (1997). Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse. New York: DK Pub.
Genre: Classics
Reading Level: 6-8th Grade
Summary: This book is about the life of a special horse named Black Beauty. This story is told in the horse’s own words and he shares with readers what his life was like growing up. Black Beauty grew up with a gentle master and learned what it means to be a well bred horse. Each time he is sold he strives to serve his master’s wishes even when that master is cruel and thoughtless. After an especially rough couple of years, he is lucky enough to be reunited with a stable lad who used to take care of him when he was just a foal and Black Beauty is able to spend the rest of his days in peace and happiness.
Personal Reflection: I think this is a great book for any student who is an animal lover and since it’s told from the horse’s perspective it offers a unique view that will draw readers into the story. My sister and I always loved this book and it’s a great way to get students to learn to think about things from a different perspective and remember that there are always multiple sides to every story and event.
Title: Wells, H. G. (2008). The Invisible Man. New York [N.Y.: Papercutz.
Genre: Classics
Reading Level: 4-7th Grade
Summary: Meet Griffin, a scientist who has discovered a way to make a mixture that will turn things invisible. He tries it on himself and is at first elated with his great discovery. As times goes on, many difficulties arise as he tries to deal with the many challenges presented with being invisible and deal with an unexpected side effect: insanity.
Personal Reflection: I think this book is great because it deals with the reality and challenges of what at first seems like a fantastic super power. I think most children at one point or another have wished to be invisible and I like that this book gets readers to think
about and weigh the reality of discovering and using something like invisibility. This is one of those books that is perfect for discussion groups and motivating students to think on a higher level.
Title: Strachey, L. (1989). Queen Victoria: A Life. New York: Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Genre: Biography
Reading Level: Unknown; maybe 5-9th Grade*
Summary: Lytton Strachey draws readers into the life of this influential and strong queen. He starts with her childhood, follows her marriage to Prince Albert, her ascendency to the throne and finally her life as a monarch of the British Crown. He also notes the impact and contributions she made to society and gives details about her children.
Personal Reflection: This was a surprising find for me. I’m not a huge fan of biographies and I honestly expected this to be a boring recitation of facts.
The book is far from dry and instead the reader feels like they are getting to see a personal and up close view of this Queen’s life. Lytton Strachey helps readers connect with Queen Victoria, seeing how she thinks and feels about things while still giving readers an accurate account of the facts.
*As a disclaimer I’m honestly just making an educated guess on the grade level of this book. I searched many sites and couldn’t find anything that told me the grade level or reading level of this book.
Title: Grealy, L. (1994). Autobiography of a face. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Genre: Autobiography
Reading Level: 9-12th Grade
Summary: Lucy Grealy was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 9. Not fully understanding just how sick she is, Lucy slowly begins to realize what is happening to her as she undergoes multiple surgeries, loses part of her jaw, and starts chemotherapy. Throughout all this the possibility of death is not something she can or will accept. Lucy learns to find the internal strength she needs to combat the cancer, the taunts of her peers because of her appearance and quiet the questions and doubts within her-self by learning to not let a mirror or other people’s ideas define her as a person.
Personal Reflection: This book was both captivating and very hard for me to read. Her story is told in such a raw, personal and honest way that the reader can’t help but feel some discomfort because she lets you see so much and yet massive amounts of respect. She confronts and tries to tackle questions all of us have or will have to ask at some point about our identity, purpose and the motives that drive us. I think this book was well written and definitely a good book for older students to read because it pushes the reader to expand their perspective and challenges their own sense of self and world.
Dorothy Guerrero
CHILDREN`S & ADOLESCENTS' LIT
Professor Young Dorothy Guerrero Garza, Carmen Lomas (1996) In My Family-En Mi Familia. San Fransco California, Children’s Book Press Genre: Non –Fiction Culture: Hispanic Grade Level: 2nd – 5th Summary: In My Family is a non-fiction book written be a local artist who grew up in Kingsville Texas. This book is beautifully illustrated with memories of her childhood which include traditions of her south Texas culture. It includes illustrations and stories such as, Cleaning Nopalitos, Birthday Bar B Que, and Painting Easter Eggs. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books. Personal Review: I love this book because it reflects our south Texas traditions. I would recommend this book to teach about diversity and culture. I believe as educators it is important to teach tolerance to young children. It gives young children a different perspective and helps build the bridge to humanity. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books She also has a book called Magic Windows which is excellent. These books cover content areas in Social Studies, Writing, Reading and Creative Art. Rylant, Cynthia (1985) The Relatives Came. New York. Anthemum Books for Young Readers Genre: Juvenile Non Fiction Award: Caldecott Culture: Family Life Grade Level: 1st -4th Summary: When the Relatives Came is book which depicts the life of the author when they went on a summer vacation in Virginia. The family starts on a road trip where they see strange house and mountains. When they arrive to their cousin’s house they are greeted by relatives who eat too much and eventually they all sleep on the floor. Personal Review: I like the illustrations in the book. It is beautifully written. I feel children can relate to this book because at one time or another we all have had those crazy relatives that come down once a year. At one point in time we have had to make room and sleep on a couch on the floor, or even outside! It reflects traditions our culture. I would use this book maybe with the Strategy Grand Conversations right after summer vacation. Children love to share their stories over the summer. It builds awareness of similarities and differences within us
Keane Dave, (2009) Sloppy Joe New York Scholastic Inc. Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade Level 1st – 3rd Summary: This is a book about a little boy who strives every day to be clean but cant. His grade school picture was taken with a piece of gum in it. He collects frogs for a living and even though his room is a big mess he can locate everything in there except for a grilled cheese sandwich he lost last summer. The neighbors won’t even let him in the house when he asks to play with his friends. He sets out on a mission to be clean Joe for a day but he fails. His family forgives him because they all come down with the flue and tries to take care of them. Personal Review. It is funny and a really cute book. I have read this book over and over to different groups of children and they love it because they sometimes struggle keeping up with their own room or personal belongings. Emmett, Jonathan. The Princess and the Pig. New York. Walter & Company Genre: Fairy Tale Grade Level: 1st-5th Summary: This is a traditional once upon a time there was a poor farmer who did not even have a horse to pull his cart. All he had was a small piglet who he could not even sell in the market place. They did not have any children. On the way home one day the kingdoms princess accidently winds up is his cart. The Princess falls in the cart and the pig flies up in the air and lands in the princess bed. The only explanation for the mix up is there must have been a bad fairy who did this because this is what happens in once a upon a time tales. The farmer raises the princess while the Queen raises the pig as a princess. Personal review: It is funny and the children love to see the pig trying to be a princess. It can also lead to a wonderful writing. I would prompt the children to make up their own Once upon a time story. Spinelli, Jerry ( 1997) Wringer, New York, Scholastic Inc. Award: Newberry medal for Manic Magee Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade Level: 2nd- 6th Summary: This is a book about a boy trying to fit in the neighborhood gang or cliché of boys who all want to be a Wringer. In this little boys town they hold annual festival or carnival every year. One of the games or sponsored town game is to release over 1000 pigeons and shoot them. A Wringer is supposed to catch the birds which are injured and wring their necks. This poses as a conflict snots because he has adopted a pigeon which he keeps in his room. He struggles with the fact that his father was a wringer and he feels the pressure of becoming one because of peer pressure. Personal Review: I personally struggled reading this book. I felt for the birds and especially for Snots. Snots have a kind heart and are having trouble becoming his own person. My grandson loved the book. I did not like the book. I think it hit too close to home for me. After the entire girl who gets called names and tortured throughout the book is named Dorothy which just happens to be my name. Rawls, Wilson (1996) Where the Red Fern Grows, Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade level 2nd-6th Summary: This book is about little boy who is living through the depression era in the hills with his family. He sets out to raise money to buy a couple of coon dogs. Money is raised by selling wild berries and vegetables to his grandfather’s store. He eventually raises enough money to buy two of them. This book depicts a boy rite of passage to becoming a man. He trains them to hunt coons which help with the family income. The love he has for his dogs is endearing. At the end they die saving his life from a cougar that almost attacked him. Personal Review: It was sad and nostalgic This boy worked so hard to raise money for his dogs It is very endearing and will bring a grown man to tears. It reminded me of my childhood. I was not raised in the hills but my family was not well off. I could relate to the character in the story. Loved this book. Zolotow, Charlotte (1998) The Bunny who found Easter Boston Houghton Milton company Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade level: 1st -3rd Summary: The bunny wakes up in the wrong season and sets out to find Easter. He is caught in a summer storm. Then he is stuck under an apple tree in the fall. There is not another bunny to be seen anywhere. He blazes through a winter storm searching for another bunny. He settles down for a winter’s nap and wakes up to find spring where he encounters another bunny! Personal review: It would be great holiday story. The Illustrations appear to have been done in pastels and watercolor. It is a cute story. I tried to read it to Pre K 4 and it was too long for them. Schachner, Judy (2003) Skippy Jon Jones, New York Dutton Children’s Book Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade level: 1st -3rd Summary: Skippy Jon Jones is a naughty little kitten who loves to pretend to be everything but a cat. One day when he was bouncing on his bed he sees a reflection and believes he is now a chihuahua dog. When he is being punished he pretends he is in Mexico and is helping a gang Los Chimichangas !! Funny lots of play on words and rhyming Personal review: As Skippy Jon Jones states “Holy Guacamole!” I loved all of the poem rhyming in this book. It came with a Cd. And the students in my class loved it. I added a Zorro mask to the library center. They put it on every time they reach for the book Hardin Melenda (2013) Hero Mom New YorkAmazon Children’s Publishing Genre: Fiction Grade level: 1st Grade Summary: In today day and age we have mothers who are American Soldiers, This book illustrates their courage as they fight along to keep our country safe. It is a quick read but it shows mothers in armed forces building skyscrapers, flying planes, fixing planes, building machines mending soldiers and defending the country. Personal Review: I think it is important to illustrate women in powerful roles contributing to our community. It is also important to teach children how to be patriotic.
Becker, Aaron (2013) Journey Boston , Candlewick Press Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 1st -4th Summary: This is a picture book without any words. It is interesting because the illustrations draw you in. It is about a lonely little girl who one day draws a door with her re Crayola. And thus the adventure begins. She travels to beautiful parks, London, and a beutiful palace where she is captured by a ruler. She is able to draw a magic carpet and escape. Personal review: I liked this book because sometime one has to just use their imagination and fill in the blanks or infer what is going on. Howe, James, (2006) Bunnicula and friends The Fright before Christmas New York Anthemum Books for Young Readers Genre: Juvenile Fiction Summary; While Howie the dog is waiting for Santa to arrive he hears strange noises in the house. They go out see what is making the noises. Howie is afraid of Santa and his friends are wondering why. Personal Review. It is a cute book and a great way to introduce chapter books to young children. Robinson, Fiona (2013) Whale Shines An Artistic Tale New York Abrahams Books for Young Readers. Genre: Fiction Summary. The Story starts with “ Once upon a tide” This is a cute story about a whale who wants to be an artist. So he sets out on a journey to look for entries to his art show. He combs the sea looking for artists. The hammerhead sharks are working on a sculpture while the squid is busy making the paint. He longs to be able to build or paint something . So he uses bioluminescent phytoplankton to paint a glow in the dark painting in the sea! He painted the moon and the stars for all of the underwater fish to see. Personal review: I liked this book because it can be added to the aquarium unit in my class. It can also be included as an introduction to art. Dean James, (2013) Pete the Cat Plays Ball Harpers Collins Publishing Genre: Fiction Summary: Pete The Cat is a series of books which cater to emerging readers. In this book he takes a handle on learning how to play baseball. Pete does not have a good day at the ball park but he is modeling good sportsmanship. Personal review: The Pete the Cat early reader’s series is great for young children who are learning how to read because it makes them feel successful. Fox Mem, (1997) Whoever You Are Orlando, Vayager Books, Harcourt Inc. Genre: Multicultural Summary: This book discusses similarities and differences in children from all over the world. It is a multicultural book about how different our skin may be from each other but we are the same. Dorothy Guerrero
CHILDREN`S & ADOLESCENTS' LIT
Professor Young Dorothy Guerrero Garza, Carmen Lomas (1996) In My Family-En Mi Familia. San Fransco California, Children’s Book Press Genre: Non –Fiction Culture: Hispanic Grade Level: 2nd – 5th Summary: In My Family is a non-fiction book written be a local artist who grew up in Kingsville Texas. This book is beautifully illustrated with memories of her childhood which include traditions of her south Texas culture. It includes illustrations and stories such as, Cleaning Nopalitos, Birthday Bar B Que, and Painting Easter Eggs. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books. Personal Review: I love this book because it reflects our south Texas traditions. I would recommend this book to teach about diversity and culture. I believe as educators it is important to teach tolerance to young children. It gives young children a different perspective and helps build the bridge to humanity. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books She also has a book called Magic Windows which is excellent. These books cover content areas in Social Studies, Writing, Reading and Creative Art. Rylant, Cynthia (1985) The Relatives Came. New York. Anthemum Books for Young Readers Genre: Juvenile Non Fiction Award: Caldecott Culture: Family Life Grade Level: 1st -4th Summary: When the Relatives Came is book which depicts the life of the author when they went on a summer vacation in Virginia. The family starts on a road trip where they see strange house and mountains. When they arrive to their cousin’s house they are greeted by relatives who eat too much and eventually they all sleep on the floor. Personal Review: I like the illustrations in the book. It is beautifully written. I feel children can relate to this book because at one time or another we all have had those crazy relatives that come down once a year. At one point in time we have had to make room and sleep on a couch on the floor, or even outside! It reflects traditions our culture. I would use this book maybe with the Strategy Grand Conversations right after summer vacation. Children love to share their stories over the summer. It builds awareness of similarities and differences within us
Keane Dave, (2009) Sloppy Joe New York Scholastic Inc. Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade Level 1st – 3rd Summary: This is a book about a little boy who strives every day to be clean but cant. His grade school picture was taken with a piece of gum in it. He collects frogs for a living and even though his room is a big mess he can locate everything in there except for a grilled cheese sandwich he lost last summer. The neighbors won’t even let him in the house when he asks to play with his friends. He sets out on a mission to be clean Joe for a day but he fails. His family forgives him because they all come down with the flue and tries to take care of them. Personal Review. It is funny and a really cute book. I have read this book over and over to different groups of children and they love it because they sometimes struggle keeping up with their own room or personal belongings. Emmett, Jonathan. The Princess and the Pig. New York. Walter & Company Genre: Fairy Tale Grade Level: 1st-5th Summary: This is a traditional once upon a time there was a poor farmer who did not even have a horse to pull his cart. All he had was a small piglet who he could not even sell in the market place. They did not have any children. On the way home one day the kingdoms princess accidently winds up is his cart. The Princess falls in the cart and the pig flies up in the air and lands in the princess bed. The only explanation for the mix up is there must have been a bad fairy who did this because this is what happens in once a upon a time tales. The farmer raises the princess while the Queen raises the pig as a princess. Personal review: It is funny and the children love to see the pig trying to be a princess. It can also lead to a wonderful writing. I would prompt the children to make up their own Once upon a time story. Spinelli, Jerry ( 1997) Wringer, New York, Scholastic Inc. Award: Newberry medal for Manic Magee Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade Level: 2nd- 6th Summary: This is a book about a boy trying to fit in the neighborhood gang or cliché of boys who all want to be a Wringer. In this little boys town they hold annual festival or carnival every year. One of the games or sponsored town game is to release over 1000 pigeons and shoot them. A Wringer is supposed to catch the birds which are injured and wring their necks. This poses as a conflict snots because he has adopted a pigeon which he keeps in his room. He struggles with the fact that his father was a wringer and he feels the pressure of becoming one because of peer pressure. Personal Review: I personally struggled reading this book. I felt for the birds and especially for Snots. Snots have a kind heart and are having trouble becoming his own person. My grandson loved the book. I did not like the book. I think it hit too close to home for me. After the entire girl who gets called names and tortured throughout the book is named Dorothy which just happens to be my name. Rawls, Wilson (1996) Where the Red Fern Grows, Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade level 2nd-6th Summary: This book is about little boy who is living through the depression era in the hills with his family. He sets out to raise money to buy a couple of coon dogs. Money is raised by selling wild berries and vegetables to his grandfather’s store. He eventually raises enough money to buy two of them. This book depicts a boy rite of passage to becoming a man. He trains them to hunt coons which help with the family income. The love he has for his dogs is endearing. At the end they die saving his life from a cougar that almost attacked him. Personal Review: It was sad and nostalgic This boy worked so hard to raise money for his dogs It is very endearing and will bring a grown man to tears. It reminded me of my childhood. I was not raised in the hills but my family was not well off. I could relate to the character in the story. Loved this book. Zolotow, Charlotte (1998) The Bunny who found Easter Boston Houghton Milton company Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade level: 1st -3rd Summary: The bunny wakes up in the wrong season and sets out to find Easter. He is caught in a summer storm. Then he is stuck under an apple tree in the fall. There is not another bunny to be seen anywhere. He blazes through a winter storm searching for another bunny. He settles down for a winter’s nap and wakes up to find spring where he encounters another bunny! Personal review: It would be great holiday story. The Illustrations appear to have been done in pastels and watercolor. It is a cute story. I tried to read it to Pre K 4 and it was too long for them. Schachner, Judy (2003) Skippy Jon Jones, New York Dutton Children’s Book Genre: Juvenile Fiction Grade level: 1st -3rd Summary: Skippy Jon Jones is a naughty little kitten who loves to pretend to be everything but a cat. One day when he was bouncing on his bed he sees a reflection and believes he is now a chihuahua dog. When he is being punished he pretends he is in Mexico and is helping a gang Los Chimichangas !! Funny lots of play on words and rhyming Personal review: As Skippy Jon Jones states “Holy Guacamole!” I loved all of the poem rhyming in this book. It came with a Cd. And the students in my class loved it. I added a Zorro mask to the library center. They put it on every time they reach for the book Hardin Melenda (2013) Hero Mom New YorkAmazon Children’s Publishing Genre: Fiction Grade level: 1st Grade Summary: In today day and age we have mothers who are American Soldiers, This book illustrates their courage as they fight along to keep our country safe. It is a quick read but it shows mothers in armed forces building skyscrapers, flying planes, fixing planes, building machines mending soldiers and defending the country. Personal Review: I think it is important to illustrate women in powerful roles contributing to our community. It is also important to teach children how to be patriotic.
Becker, Aaron (2013) Journey Boston , Candlewick Press Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 1st -4th Summary: This is a picture book without any words. It is interesting because the illustrations draw you in. It is about a lonely little girl who one day draws a door with her re Crayola. And thus the adventure begins. She travels to beautiful parks, London, and a beutiful palace where she is captured by a ruler. She is able to draw a magic carpet and escape. Personal review: I liked this book because sometime one has to just use their imagination and fill in the blanks or infer what is going on. Howe, James, (2006) Bunnicula and friends The Fright before Christmas New York Anthemum Books for Young Readers Genre: Juvenile Fiction Summary; While Howie the dog is waiting for Santa to arrive he hears strange noises in the house. They go out see what is making the noises. Howie is afraid of Santa and his friends are wondering why. Personal Review. It is a cute book and a great way to introduce chapter books to young children. Robinson, Fiona (2013) Whale Shines An Artistic Tale New York Abrahams Books for Young Readers. Genre: Fiction Summary. The Story starts with “ Once upon a tide” This is a cute story about a whale who wants to be an artist. So he sets out on a journey to look for entries to his art show. He combs the sea looking for artists. The hammerhead sharks are working on a sculpture while the squid is busy making the paint. He longs to be able to build or paint something . So he uses bioluminescent phytoplankton to paint a glow in the dark painting in the sea! He painted the moon and the stars for all of the underwater fish to see. Personal review: I liked this book because it can be added to the aquarium unit in my class. It can also be included as an introduction to art. Dean James, (2013) Pete the Cat Plays Ball Harpers Collins Publishing Genre: Fiction Summary: Pete The Cat is a series of books which cater to emerging readers. In this book he takes a handle on learning how to play baseball. Pete does not have a good day at the ball park but he is modeling good sportsmanship. Personal review: The Pete the Cat early reader’s series is great for young children who are learning how to read because it makes them feel successful. Fox Mem, (1997) Whoever You Are Orlando, Vayager Books, Harcourt Inc. Genre: Multicultural Summary: This book discusses similarities and differences in children from all over the world. It is a multicultural book about how different our skin may be from each other but we are the same.
Chelsea Derrick Literature Portfolio
Book: National Geographic Kids: Pandas
Approximate Level: 1st- 3rd
Genre: Informational
Summary: This book shares facts and colorful real life pictures of pandas and their habits.
Reflection: This book will help students develop their vocabulary. Also it is educational and interesting. Also at the end of the book at has a review for the children to use their newly learned vocabulary in an activity of writing a story.
Book: The Planets in Our Solar System
Author: Franklyn Branley
Approximate Level: 2nd – 4th
Genre: Informational
Summary: Read about the eight planets in our solar system and Earth's special place in it. This book also includes instructions for making your own solar.
Reflection: This book will help students build their vocabulary in science. Also it gives a great description of the solar system.
Book: Pinkalicious
Author: Victoria Kann
Approximate Level: Kinder- 3rd
Genre: Fiction
Summary: When Pinkalicious uses all of her friend, Alison’s paint. Pink must find a way to make it up to her friend.
Reflection: This book would be good because it is easy reading. This book might be more commonly read by girls because it will call to them because of the Pinkalicious title. Also this book can teach a lesson to the child because of the story line.
Book: Henry and Mudge and a Very Merry Christmas
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Approximate Level: Kinder- 2nd
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Christmas at Henry and Mudge's house means cookies and carols and presents, and the whole family gathering for a delicious breakfast. It may just be the best Christmas ever -- but Henry's favorite present is the big, lovable dog he's had all along.
Reflection: This book is good because it has a little more complex story. Also it has varied sentences structure. Also it is a good way to introduce what chapters are to students.
Book: Magic Tree House: Afternoon on the Amazon
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Approximate Level: 2nd- 4th
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Jack and Annie are two kids who have a magic tree house that takes them to different places. They end up getting terribly lost in the rain forest. They see different animals like killer ants and vampire bats.
Reflection: This book would be good because of it would capture the child’s imagination. The child would be interested in the book which would make him more likely to read the book and not want to put it away. Also it introduces the concept of chapter books to the child.
Book: Harry Potter (any of them)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Approximate Level: 5th and up
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Story of a young orphan boy who becomes a wizard. There are many books in this series.
Reflection: This book is great to develop student’s imaginations. Also it will be a book that can encourage reading because of how many books are in the series.
Book: You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You
Author: Hoberman
Approximate level: Kinder- 3rd
Genre: Fairytale
Summary: This is a book of fairy tale rhymes that is made to use for reader’s theatre.
Reflection: This book would be good because it is reader’s theatre. It is a great way to demonstrate good reading habits and have the student mirrors your reading technique on their own lines. Also it has rhyming which is always helpful for a beginning reader.
Book: Snow White: A Tale From Brothers Grimm
Author: Jakob Grimm
Approximate level: 2-3rd
Genre: Fairytale
Summary: This tells the fairytale story about Snow White.
Reflection: This book is good because it can be turned into a reader’s theatre.
Book: Cha Cha Chimps
Author: Julia Durango
Approximate level: kinder- 1st
Genre: Rhythmic
Summary: It’s a new twist on the ten little monkeys jumping on the bed, but this time they are ten little monkeys who love to dance.
Reflection: This book would be good for beginning readers because it is rhyming and very repetitive.
Book: Dr.Seuss on the Loose
Author: Seuss
Approximate Level: for all ages!
Genre: Rhythmic
Summary: This book pulls poetry from all the famous Dr. Seuss books.
Reflection: This book would be good for early readers because of its rhyming and easy words. Also some of these poems might be recognizable to the child which should help them be able to figure out the words.
Book: Home Run
Author: Robert Burleigh
Approximate grade level: 3rd- 4th
Genre: Biography
Summary: The man who made the game of baseball, George Herman Ruth, wasn't always the Babe. Once he was a boy playing ball on a dirt lot.
Reflection: This book is good to help a student with a historical lesson or paper. I think it is extremely interesting and tells a story and not just state facts about him.
Book: Who Was Walt Disney?
Author: Whitney Stewart
Approximate grade level: 5-7th grade
Genre: Biography
Summary: His family was poor, and the happiest time of his childhood was spent living on a farm in Missouri. His affection for small-town life is reflected in Disneyland Main Streets around the world. With black-and-white illustrations.
Reflection: this book tells the story of Walt Disney and how he became the famous creator of Disney. It will be a good book for a student who would be writing a report on Mr. Walt Disney.
Book: Jack and the Beanstalk
Author: Paul Galdone
Approximate grade level: K-2nd
Genre: Folk Tale
Summary: Tells the story of Jack and his magic bean stalk.
Reflection: This book is great for kids because it is rhythmic and tells the classic story all kids know or should know.
Book: Three Little Pigs
Author: Golden Books
Approximate grade level: Kinder
Genre: Folk Tale
Summary: Tells the story of the three little pigs.
Reflection: This book is an easy read and teaches a lesson like all the folktale stories try to do.
Book: Journey
Author: Aaron Becker
Approximate grade level: 3rd
Genre: Science fiction
Summary: You get to follow a girl on an elaborate flight into an amazing world.
Reflection: This is a great book because of the amazing illustrations.
Book: Magic School Bus series
Author: Joanna Cole
Approximate grade level: Kinder- 1st
Genre: Science Fiction
Summary: This series is about a silly science teacher who takes her class on crazy bus rides to explore the world of science.
Reflection: This book is great to teach science to younger students.
Book: A Butterfly Is Patient
Author: Dianna Aston
Approximate grade level: K- 3rd
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary: This book tells the story of different butterflies.
Reflection: This book is good to use for science.
Book: Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909
Author: Michelle Markel
Approximate grade level: 3rd
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: True story of Clara Lemlich, a young Ukrainian immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history. This picture book biography includes a bibliography and an author's note on the garment industry. It follows the plight of immigrants in America in the early 1900s, tackling topics like activism and the U.S. garment industry, with handstitching and fabric incorporated throughout the art.
Reflection: This book will be good to use in a history class. This is also a biography so it could be used to help with a book report on a historical character.
Marcus Montez
READ 4380-001
Maurice Sendak 1963 Where the Wild Things Are
Genre: Picture Book Short Story
Grade Level: PreK-3
Awards: Caldecott Medal Winner
Summary: A young boy named Max is sent to bed without dinner. Max puts on a wolf suit and out of nowhere a forest begins to grow in his room. Max appears to be in the land where the wild things are. Luckily for Max, the wild things are kind and do not eat him, but instead appoint king.
Personal Review: This book portrays Max’s creativity, which allows the reader to be taken into a fantasy world. This book was interesting.
Dr. Seuss 1960 Green Eggs and Ham
Genre: Picture Book Short Story
Grade Level: PreK-3
Summary: Sam-I-Am harasses an unnamed character, which is also the narrator, to eat green eggs and ham, but his response is “I do not like green eggs and ham”. Sam-I-Am repeats this question in various locations, but the response is always the same.
Personal Review: This book is very repetitive. It is a good book to help young children learn to read. It has a very basic vocabulary that allows beginners to learn easily and also to have fun!
Anne Frank 1964 The Diary of Anne Frank
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: A thirteen-year-old Jewish girl is hiding up in the attic during WWII. While hiding she writes her experiences in a diary. She is hiding in a secret annex of an office building. Away from the outside world Anne and her family face boredom, hunger, and live in constant fear of being caught.
Personal Review: It is a good book for young adults to read because it teaches them about WWII history, and also relates to their age group. It shows the readers what was happening to in Germany during that time period.
Ishmael Beah 2007 A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 12
Summary: Beah tells his true-life story of how he grew up in Sierra Leone. He grew up surrounded by war and fighting. He was also forced to fight as a child. At age thirteen he had already done terrible things. Eventually UNICEF saves him and through rehabilitation he learns to forgive himself and heal.
Personal Review: It’s a good book for young adolescents to read because it shows that not everyone is raised in the same manner. Everyone will look at life differently.
Elie Wiesel 1956 Night
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary: Elie Wiesel is a 15-year-old Jew that loses everything and is taken into a Nazi camp. This story describes his experiences and things he has seen. Throughout the story Elie witnesses the death of his family and many others. He questions his God about the hatred he has seen on this earth.
Personal Review: This book was an interesting read. It could be considered a biography, but after research I found the Elie had considered it fiction because he takes certain stories out and adds some fiction characters.
Markus Zusak 2006 The Book Thief
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 7-12
Summary: This book is narrated by death. It tells the story of young Liesel Meminger (who’s mother was a communist) that gets adopted into a Nazi family. Liesel cannot read but together, with the help of her papa, she begins to learn. In this story Liesel’s family hides a Jew named Max. While Max is staying, Liesel begins to “borrow” books from the mayor’s wife because they have such a grand library.
Personal Review: This is a thrilling story that keeps the reader captivated. I enjoyed this book because death narrates it so well. It portrays a young girl who has the courage to stand up for what she believes in.
George Orwell 1949 1984
Genre: General Fiction
Grade level: 9-12
Summary: The character Winston Smith lives in the future. In this future, everywhere he goes, the party is watching him. This story is about a government that can always see you to prevent public rebellion. The party prevents everything, including sex, free thought, and personal expression. Winston secretly writes in his diary and rebels. He falls in love with a character named Julia and together they rebel since they are expressing emotion. In the end they are both caught and he is taken to a place called the brother hood that brainwashes him. Winston breaks and they release him. Once he is released he is completely brain washed and feels no love, not even toward Julia.
Personal Review: This story is a bit confusing to read because the author wrote it so long ago. In his time “1984” seemed like such a far time away, but it is my past. It was still a good story. It was very thrilling and dark.
Lois Lowry 1993 The Giver
Genre: General Fiction
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: Jonas lives in an alternate universe in which everything is perfect. Society is very organized by age. At every age a person changes and gets something new. Jonas is turning twelve, which means he will be assigned his job. In his community the elders assign everyone a job and they must do it for the rest of their lives. Jonas is scared because he does not know what he is good at, but he is given the job of Receiver. The receiver was to contain all emotions and feelings for everyone else. Jonas learns about love and life and wants everyone else to know what he sees. Jonas and the Giver come up with a plan for Jonas to run away, because if he runs away the memories will be spilled out for the rest of the community.
Personal Review: This was a short, easy read book. I enjoyed it because every chapter left me wondering what would happen next. The details described in the story are also really great.
J.K. Rowling 1997 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Genre: Science/Fantasy Fiction
Grade Level: 4-8
Summary: Harry is an ordinary boy that lives with his mean Aunt and Uncle. His life seems a bore until a letter arrives by an owl. His Uncle Vernon continuously ignores these letters until a giant named Hagrid comes to collect Harry. Hagrid escorts Harry to the magical world of witchcraft. Harry attends the magical school Hogwarts and slowly learns about his parents. The evil wizard Voldemort tries to return by using the sorcerer’s stone but Harry saves the day!
Personal Summary: Adventurous book that will get young kids excited to read.
Lauren DeStefano 2011 Wither
Genre: Science/Fantasy Fiction
Grade Level: 8-12
Summary: This trilogy begins with Wither. It is set place in the future when scientists have found a way to have people live longer without flaws. Although this genetic discovery is brilliant it has one big flaw! With this cure parents are bearing children that cannot live long lives! The woman die at age 20 and the men at age 25. At this time women are kidnapped at sent to men to bear more children to find this cure. In Wither Rhine is takes away and given to a very rich man who takes three wives. Rhine isn’t treated badly but she wants to return home. Her servant Gabriel falls in love with her and together they plan a way to escape.
Personal Review: This book is very new. It takes the reader into a different place and time. The world has so much technology, but it seems to be ruining nature. This book portrays that human’s cannot be perfect. By trying to be perfect they end up killing their own kind off. This was a really good read!
Linda Bleck 2006 A Children’s Treasure of Nursery Rhymes
Genre: Poetry/Nursery Rhymes
Grade Level: PreK-1
Summary: This book contains 22 different nursery rhymes. All of the nursery rhymes are short, simple and sweet. (1 page) It contains the classics such as “Hickory, Dickory, Dock”, “Jack and Jill” and many others.
Personal Review: This is a good book for toddlers because they get the kids interested and have nice elaborate pictures. The illustrations are spot on so the kid can make a connection when they see the picture.
Shel Silverstein 1974 Where the Sidewalk Ends
Genre: Poetry/ Nursery Rhymes
Grade Level:
Summary: Silverstein creates small poems that captivate his readers. His poems are humorous and to the point. Some poems are short while some are long. He also includes great illustrations that relate to the poem.
Personal Review: These poems are fun to read. They are very comical, which allows the readers to really appreciate his work. These poems keep the young kids excited about reading.
Susan Collins Thoms 2012 Noah’s Ark
Genre: Religion
Grade Level: PreK-2
Summary: This book tells the story of Noah’s Ark. Noah builds an ark and saves a pair of each animal from a flood that is coming.
Personal Review: This book has great illustration that will keep the children captivated. It is short and simple, so they children will not drift away from the reading. It is a good book.
Susie Poole 2014 Whatever is Lovely
Genre: Religion
Grade Level: PreK-1
Summary: This book describes a young boy that thinks about the bad things in the world, but then he also remembers all the good things in life. He speaks about kindness, happiness and things that are lovely.
Personal Review: This is a sweet book that reminds children about God and the wonderful things in life. It is very short and easy to read.
Dr. Miranda Macquitty 1995 Ocean
Genre: Science and Nature
Grade Level: 4-8
Summary: In this book kids discover the astonishing wildlife found in different parts of the ocean. They learn about fish, seashells, seaweed, and many other things that can be found in the ocean.
Personal Review: This book was very informational and contained great pictures for the kids. It also contains different projects that the kids can do to learn about waves.
Sarah Powell 2012 Space
Genre: Science and Nature
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: The front of the book states “For Kids Who Love Space!”, and that is exactly what this book is. It gives great descriptions of the different planets and also contains a glossary at the end.
Personal Review: My favorite part about this book is that it was completely covered with great pictures of space! The book is very colorful and captivating. While reading children will find that some words are highlighted and they can refer to the back of the book. It also contains a time line and key facts! This book was very fascinating and can also be considered informational.
Kathleen Olmstead (Homer Original) 2014 The Iliad
Genre: Classics
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: The Trojan War has been happening for the past ten years. The Achaeans are seeking revenge against the Trojans because Paris has taking Helen. This book is about the fall of Troy.
Personal Review: This book is a toned down version of the original. It is written so that young children can also learn about the story of Troy. It is an easy read.
Frances Hodgson Burnett 2010 The Secret Garden
Genre: Classics
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: Mary Lennox is orphaned and sent to live with an Uncle is England. She awakes to wailing at night and soon finds that it is a young boy. She makes friends with the staff and eventually comes upon a secret garden where she then likes to go play.
Personal Review: This book is a great read because it describes young children that escape reality by going into this mystical garden. In this garden they are allowed to be free away from troubles.
Ariel Evans 1. Grimes, N. (1997) Wild, wild hair. Cartwhell. Paperback. Genre: General Fiction (Multicultural) Grade Level: PreK-3 Summary: Tisa dreads Monday mornings because she has to get her long thick hair combed and braided by her mother. Tisa runs and hides to only be found behind the staircase every single time. She always puts up a fuss and fight but in the end her long think hair is braided into beautiful locs and Tisa is more than pleased despite of the struggle! Personal Review: I absolutely love this book! It has been my favorite book since childhood because the author accurately portrays the struggles of being a girl and the dreaded experience of getting her hair combed. I am able to empathize with Tisa because I have literally felt her pain with all of the tugging and pulling that is done in order to achieve a beautiful hair style!
2. Ahlberg, A. & Alberg, J. (1986) Each Peach Pear Plum. Puffin. Paperback. Genre:Poetry and Rhythmic Grade Level: PreK-2 Summary: This interactive book is full of familiar Nursery Rhymes from Little Bo Peep, to Jack and Jill, The Three Little Bears and many more. As students read this book they are invited to go on an “I SPY” game as they search through the vivid illustrations of these characters. Personal Review: This is fun book is yet another from my childhood! I highly recommend it to teachers as it has rhyming and is very poetic in which I think will help students with fluency and also phonemic awareness.
3. Lubar, D. (2009) My Rotten Life (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #1). Starscape. Paperback. Genre: Science Fiction Grade Level: 3-7 Summary: It all began on a terrible day; Nathan a ten-year-old boy had had enough and was desperate for a change. On a walk home with his best friend Mookie, Nathan was confronted by a girl named Abigail that wanted to help him but offering him a potion called Hurt Be Gone. A freak accident occurred and as a result, Nathan’s organs and limbs were dying resulting in him turning into a zombie. This follows Nathan and his friends’ adventures and struggles and he tries to become human again! Personal Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book to the point of not wanting to put it down. This book made me laugh and almost cry as I was able to Nathan and his friends’ experiences. I think a lot of students will be able to relate to the events that occurred in this book and I believe they will enjoy it just as I did. If I had the time, I would continue to read the books in this series just to see what happens with Nathan, Mookie and Abbigail!
4. London, J. (2008) Call of the Wild. Puffin Classics. Paperback. Genre: Speculative fiction Grade Level: 3 and up Summary: Buck, a friendly family that was trained to trust and obey humans was kidnapped by the family’s gardener and sold to a group of men that physically abused him as he lived in harsh conditions and was starved. This book documents Buck’s hardship, malnutrition and abuse as many events begin to transform this friendly family dog to a wild, aggressive pack leader of a dogsled team. This leaves Buck with the decision to remain in the wild or go back to a sophisticated lifestyle and lavish life of a family dag. Personal Review: I enjoyed how the author used personification to depict how situations in life can take a turn for the worse and how unfortunate events and the overall events from our past can shape who we are. Also, I believe the author accurately portrayed the transformation one goes through as a result of circumstances, thus leaving us at a crossroads. I highly recommend this book as I was engaged from beginning to end.
5. Moody, A. (1968). Coming of Age in Mississippi. Bentam Dell. Paperback. Genre: Autobiography Grade Level: 7 and up Summary: Anne Moody gives a detailed account on her personal story as she grew up as an African American female of the rural South in Mississippi in the 1940s and 50s. This book gives insight to historic events such as the Woolsworth sit-ins in the 1960s as well as the assassination of Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers. Personal Review: As an African American, Anne Moody’s experiences depicted in this book have heightened my sense of gratitude for those that have gone on before me. She gives such detail and literally paints a clear picture that is historically accurate and also heartbreaking. I enjoyed this book as it made me mad, sad and even laugh, in the end it simply adds on to the appreciation I have for history as a whole but even more, African American History as it directly affects my personal history.
6. Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. Dell Yarling. Paperback. Genre: Satire Grade Level: 3-7 Summary: Poor unlucky Stanley Yelnats, he is a boy under an ancient family curse that began with his “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather.” This book chronicles Stanley’s misfortune as he is falsely accused of stealing an autographed pair of baseball cleats from an orphanage and is sent off to an all-boys camp called Camp Green Lake, where the boys dig holes all day in the hot sun to “build character” and help them learn from their mistakes, not knowing that they are actually digging for treasure that the warden thinks belongs to her family but actually belongs to Stanley’s. Personal Review: This book is the first book I read that had a movie come out after I read it. I absolutely loved this book as the friendship between Stanley Yelnats and Hector Zeroni “Zero” uncovered their family historical connections that resulted in the breaking of the Yelnats family curse.
7. Schachner, J. (2011). Skippyjon Jones, Class Action. Dutton Juvenile. Hardcover. Genre: Adventure Grade Level: Preschool and up Summary: Skippyjon Jones, a Siamese cat wants to go to school. The problem is, school is for dogs only and is a place for them to get trained. Skippy is so determined to go to school that imagines himself playing at school with all kinds of dogs, beagles, poodles and even Chihuahuas. Skippy ends up saving the day after a bully tries to scare of the dogs, resulting in Skippy earning a gold star. Personal Review: This book was very entertaining and confusing at some points especially with the mix of English, Spanish and made up Spanish words. All in all this is a great fun book that will make students of all ages giggle.
8. Lowry, L. (1989). Number the Stars. Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 3-5 Summary: This book is about a ten year old girl named Annemarie and her best friend Ellen who lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1943. They both often think about how their lives were before the war. Their daily lives now consist of school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. As the Jews are being "relocated," Ellen moves in with Annemarie's family as she pretends to be her older sister, which causes her life to be even more in danger. Personal Reflection: I really enjoyed reading this book. I like how this book worked to place the reader in the shoes of a young girl during the time of the Holocaust. This book has historical relevance, yet maintains a pull on the reader’s emotions and experiences. I believe this is a relatable book that many younger readers will defiantly enjoy.
9. Geisel, T. (1957) How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Hardcover. Genre: Comedy and Humor Grade Level: K-2 Summary: The Grinch, who is anti-Christmas plots to ruin the Christmas of every Who in Who-ville. To his surprise, he does not have control over Christmas because it comes no matter what! Personal Reflection: As a child and even now as an adult, I enjoy this Dr. Suess classic. It is one of my favorite books to read during the holidays. It is enjoyable to read a Christmas book that is not about Santa, but rather the anti-Santa that has a change of heart. The ease of reading allows for all ages to enjoy this book.
Kimberly Ellis
Sachar, L. (2004) Sideways stories from Wayside School. Harpercollins. Paperback. Genre: Children's Fiction
Grade Level: k-5
Summary: The Wayside School was designed to be one story with thirty classrooms. The builders accidentally made the school thirty stories high with one classroom on each floor. "They said they were sorry." Each short chapter in the book tells a short story designed around a specific student in the classroom. The chapters are titled with their names. In the opening chapter the teacher turns all the children who misbehave into apples. She begins to collect them on her desk. The students finally get revenge when they turn her into an apple as well. The author shares the personal thoughts of the students in this sideways school. As one student has the strong desire to pull another student's pig-tails. This book is a whirl of fun for young students.
Personal Review: I thought this book was short, simple, and silly. I enjoyed reading the funny situations these students were put in. The book is purely for entertainment. I suggest educators whip it out in-between lessons. As a substitute, I did this to pass a few minutes, and the kids loved it. Just getting from P.E. and waiting for lunch, I was able to hold their attention with the humorous stories. Although I was worried, about 5th graders finding the book to be too immature for them, I was proved wrong! They insisted I read another chapter to them before the day was over. I even left a not for the teacher explaining how much they loved the book.
Delessert Etienne Humpty Dumpty Book Type: Nursery Rhyme Fiction Summary: The famous story of Humpty Dumpty is extended in a way young children would have never imagined. The book provides great detail on Humpty’s journey. Persoal View: I have always loved those “what really happened” books. I think the title will definitely interest young readers. The images throughout the book really create the visual image of the story. Zusak, Markus.(2007) The book thief. Alfred A. Knopf
Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 7 and up Age Level: 13 and up Awards: The #1 New York Times Bestseller
Summary: The setting of the book is in Germany during World War II. A young girl by the name of Leisel is given to a foster family, where her new father teaches her to read. Once she learns to read she begins to steal books, and read every chance she gets. She even develops a close relationship with the mayor's wife, who allows her to read many books. The family is also hiding a Jew by the name of Max, who Leisel becomes close too, and reads with. The youthful romance, and dramatic story of Leisel comes to a sudden end when she loses everything.
Personal Review: From the moment I picked up this book, I could not put it down. The story is narrated by death, and reveals a harsh reality. I loved that the story told of the intense punishment of the Nazi Germany in a way that wasn't simply presenting facts. I don't feel that the book should be listed as "young adult." I think any individual of mature age would appreciate the visual this book creates. This is one story I can say was much more enjoyed through reading, rather than watching the movie. This book definitely does not have the fairytale ending! Mckissack. Patricia. Goin’ someplace special Book type: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 1st- 5th Age range: 7- 11 Summary: The story setting is a few years after the civil rights movements. Although the slaves were now free, much segregation was still being practiced. The main character is a young girl who is on a journey to reach a place she feels is special. She encounters many rejections due to Jim Crow laws along her way. Finally, she reaches the only place where everyone is accepted… the library. Personal Review: I am glad the library ended up being the special place that they young girl felt safe. Although, the circumstances she faces throughout the story are unfortunate, she was able to find peace in books. I think this is a less harsh way to touch on the struggles African Americans have overcome over the years; without being to vulgar with younger children. Definitely a great book to have in the public school classrooms! Mora, Pat Book fiesta. Rayo; Bilingual edition (March 10, 2009) Book Type: Cultural Fiction Grade Level: Pre k – 2 Age Range: 4-8 Summary: This is a bilingual book that celebrates the day of the child. Mexico celebrates this holiday on Aril 30th. All the text is provided in both English and Spanish. Throughout the story children are reading books, while riding elephants, at the library, and even reading to puppies. The purpose of the story is to motivate all children to read, no matter what they are doing, or what the language, and cultural traditions are. Personal Review: I used this book with a child who was enrolled in ECDC, which is a dual language school. I really was amazed at how well she was able to go back and forward between the English and Spanish text. I think this book is great for also introducing a new language. The pictures provide great context clues to also acquire new vocabulary. English as a second language students’ are a popular minority in our local school district; having such text will ensure everyone can develop literacy skills in the classroom. Lasky Kathryn. The Librarian who measured the Earth Book Type: Cultural Fiction Grade Level: 4th – 8th Summary: This book follows a young curious boy named Eratosthenes, on his journey through life in Greek. His deep interest for Earth, lead him to calculate the first accurate measurements of the planet. The book introduces many historic inventors, and new vocabulary. The original origins of commonly used words, as well as numerous Greek vocabularies are included. Eratosthenes is credited with inventing the discipline of geography. Personal Review: I really like biographies for children. Rather than a typical history biography, that only states facts; this book is very child friendly. Adjectives used to describe Eratosthenes, really motivate children to ask questions. The author does a great job of placing emphasis on how curiosity leads to success. Jenkins Steve. Actual size. (2011). HMH Books for Young Readers; Book Type: Picture Book Non-Fiction Grade Level: 1-5 Age Range: 4-8 Summary: This book included multiple images of the actual of many different animals. Although there is some text provided, the majority of the book is directed toward the pictures. Interesting facts on each animal are also given. The beautiful illustrations are very engaging for young readers. Personal Review: I really enjoyed using this book to create visuals with students. The fold out pages are very interactive for young children. The kids loved placing their hand against the gorilla hand and comparing sizes. Most students are amazed by the giant squid eye! I’m the biggest thing in the ocean Book Type: Picture Book Fiction Grade Level: Pre-k – 1st Summary: This limited text picture book is great for toddlers. Adults can easily engage young children by asking image related questions. I.e.: “what animal is this?; Which animal is bigger?” A valuable lesson of comparisons can be taught through this book. Personal Review: The colorful illustrations really keep my 2 year old son’s attention throughout the book. I love that the author allows the reader to determine the ending. The last few pages have no words, and just pictures. This is great for making predictions, and teaching early literacy skills. Jenkins steve. Never smile at a monkey Book Type: children’s Non-Fiction Summary: Like all Steve Jenkins books the illustrations of the animals are beautiful. The book shares with readers what to NEVER do, when encountering certain animals. The author then tells readers why the warnings are for their own safety. This is a fun way of sharing facts about animals with children. Personal Review: My favorite image is the illustration of the monkey! The eyes are so compelling and usually scare most children at first sight. Many of my students were so entertained by the book, they begged their parents to take them to a zoo. Farmer Jacqueline. Bananas! Book Type: Children’s Non-Fiction Grade Level: 4th – 7th Summary: This book is filled with random facts about the fruit banana. Along with the facts, are great illustrations. Who would have known there were originally many different names for a banana. The book tells the history of the banana, and shares nutritious facts. The method of growing bananas and shipping them to our local grocery stores are all included. Personal Review: I chose this book because the banana is my son’s favorite fruit. I personally found the procedures on keeping a banana cold interesting. I think many of the facts will be new to both children and adults. This is a great book for activating background knowledge, and obtaining new knowledge and vocabulary. In addition to all the great facts, the end of the book offers many jokes about bananas as well. Morales yuyi. Just in case. Genre: Children’s Mystery Grade Level 3-6 Summary: Multiple Spanish vocabulary are used to express the ghost thoughts throughout this journey. They mystery seems quite spooky with the main character being a skeleton, and grandma a beetle. Throughout the adventure of finding his grandmas present, the text also introduces readers to the Spanish alphabet. Personal Review: I really liked that the author starts the characters thoughts with “I wonder.” I think this helps to create predictions with young students. The readers are able to confirm their predictions with each turn of the page. The ending of the story is very surprising! Howe, J. (2006) The celery stalks at midnight. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Genre: Children's Mystery Grade Level: 3-7 Age Range: 8-13
Summary:The main three characters in the story are two dogs and a cat. The story is told from a dogs point of view (Howie). Howie and the other animals are convinced that their owners pet bunny has run away. Not only do they believe he has run away, but also that he is a vampire. They are on a mission to find him before he attacks others in the neighborhood. They encounter many mishaps on their journey, all to find out the bunny has been safe and sound the whole time. The family is curious of the dogs strange behavior, and finally reveal what has been going on at the end.
Personal Review: The story is hilarious! The missing rabbit is believed to be a vampire, all while eating vegetables. The vegetarian vampire does not have much of a role in the book, besides being chased. I would of liked maybe an interaction or two with the bunny and dogs besides just the ending. I also think with such an animated text, more illustrations would have helped to visualize the story. The book is overall a fun and quick read, I think children would definitional enjoy. The youthful mystery story is different, and compelling.
Adler David. How tall how short how far away. Holiday House. Book Type: Mathematical Non-Fiction Grade Level: 2nd – 5th Summary: The development of the metric system is shared in a way that is understandable for children. Comprehension questions are asked throughout the text to further the readers understanding. Activities to introduce students to measuring and conversions are also included toward the end of the text. Personal Review: I really liked that the book makes historic measurements relate to today. The text asks the reader to attempt measuring someone’s height with their fingertips; as it was done in ancient Egypt. I’m sure students will find this difficult, and appreciate our current metric system even more.
Danielle Ramirez
1.)
Title: Hutchins, Hazel. (2004) A second is a Hiccup, New York, NY; Author Livine Books.
Summary: This book is about time. The author incorporates a second, minute, hour, day, week and a year into this story. The author includes these items in a fun and rhyming way. The story starts off with the child asking the mother how long is a second. From then on the mother goes deep into depth explaining the differences in time, weeks and even years. It’s a book that includes relatable facts.
Personal Review: I enjoyed this book because not only is it fun to read, it also allows children to relate because the mother brings in examples of time, for example “A second is a Hiccup.” Another thing that caught my eye is considering if the students are studying and learning about the time differences between a minute and an hour, this could be a resource book to use to make the lesson more enjoyable.
2.)
Title: Curtis, Jamie Lee. (2010) My Mommy Hung the Moon, New York, NY; Joanna Colter Books.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade Level or (Ages): Primary
Summary: This is a story about a child who is aware of how wonderful his mother is, so wonderful that he has to recite each thing that makes her the amazing mother that she is. All of her accomplishments and achievements are admired and acknowledged by the loving child.
Personal Review: I chose this book because it is a great way to get children actively involved in conversation. Students can bring in prior knowledge with this book or can do a short writing response towards how they can relate with the book.
3.)
Title: Hedlund, Stephanie F. (2011) Bedtime with Mother Goose, Edina, Minnesota; Magic Wagon.
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level or (Ages): pre-k -4th
Summary: This is a mixture of classic bedtime nursery rhymes. This book has up to fourteen different poems and riddles that will date back to the 80’s.
Personal Review: I chose this book because once I started to read a few poems I couldn’t stop reading. This book could be very useful in the classroom because it could be used to help build fluency and word recognition. Many Pillar activities and lessons can come from this book alone.
Summary: This book is also a mixture of twelve classic nursery rhymes and poems. These nursery rhymes date far back also.
Personal Review: This book is awesome towards helping students build fluency. This will get the students smiling and reading along. This could also encourage students to write their own silly poems. You could also do a readers theatre will this book.
5.)
Title: Levert, Mireille. (2000) Goldilocks and the Three Bears, New York, NY; Golden Books.
Genre: Fantasy
Grade level or (Age): 7-10
Summary: This is Story about a family of beards who live in the woods. Each Character is deeply described. Once the family is introduced, they decide to take a family walk. During this time, a young girl named Goldilocks comes strolling along with the findings of the house. She soon tries out each characters items. She then soon becomes quickly tired and decides to take a nap in the baby bears bed. When the family of bears return they notice there home has been intervened. Once they find the young lady asleep in the baby bear’s bead, she quickly runs away. The three bears never saw her again.
Personal Review: I love this book because I remember learning how to read this book when I was younger. This book I feel could be used in many ways for students. In this book, the characters are deeply described. The students could focus on noticing important characteristics and the information behind them.
6.)
Title: Grim, Brothers (2011) Little Red Riding Hood. Harper Collins
Genre: fantasy
Grade Level: 1st-3rd
Summary: This is a story about a little girl who goes to visit her sick grandmother. On the way she runs into a wolf, the wolf tricks her into taking the other path to get to her grandmothers quicker. By the time the young girl arrives to the house, the wolf had already tricked the grandmother and ate her. His next task was to trick the girl and eat her. As she walks in thinking it was her grandmother she soon gets tricked into getting to close and ends up getting eaten.
Personal reflection: Although this is a different ending then the stories you here in schools, this is a classic old story where animals are like people and trick others. The moral of this story is to not talk to strangers. Although this is the book I checked out, I would have preferably rather read the newer version of the little red riding hood with students, with the alternative ending of them living happily ever after.
7.)
Title: Martin, Bill Carle, Eric. (1866) Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What do you see, New York, NY; Henry Holt and Company.
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level or (Age): k-3rd
Summary: This is a passage where the pictures tell the story. The Mama Bear is asking her Baby Bear what she can see in sight. The Baby Bear then names the animal in sight then asks that animal what is in their sight and so on. This Continues on until one animal spots the Mama Bear and it made a full circle.
Personal Review: This is a picture book so the book doesn’t have a climax or plot but it is amusing to children and is a good book to start building on their phonics.
8.)
Title: Carle, Eric. (1969) The Very Hungry Caterpillar, New York, NY; Philomel Books.
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level or (Age): K-2nd
Awards: New York Times Ten Best Picture Books of the Year, American Institute of Graphic Arts award, Best Children's Books of England, Selection du Grand Prix des Treize, France, Brooklyn Museum Art Books for Children, Nakamori Reader's Prize, Japan.
Summary: This is a story about a very hungry caterpillar. He was born and then immediately started eating. He finished but then realized that he was still hungry, so after eating numerous amounts of food he built himself a cocoon. After resting for more than two weeks he finally comes out of his place of rest and turns into a beautiful butterfly.
Personal Review: This is a book that I remember reading when I was younger. This is a great book for beginning readers, because the pictures also tell the story. Context clues could be used if child or student is having trouble reading.
9.)
Title: Mara, Wil. (2002) Abraham Lincoln, Canada; Children’s Press.
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 1st and up
Summary: This a short biography about the United States first president. The Book starts off with a little bit of history on Abraham Lincoln’s childhood then continues with his life accomplishments. He was known as “Honest Abe,” and signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaved. He then was shot by Booth then died the next day. He is remembered till this day.
Personal Review: This is a good short biography about our first president. There are some interesting facts in the book about Abe that I wasn’t even aware of. Also at the end of the book gives a reflection of the vocabulary words.
10.)
Title: Mcleese, Don. (2003) Martin Luther King, JR. Equal Rights Leader; Vero Beach , Florida, Rourke Publishing.
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 1st and Up
Summary: This is a short biography about Martin Luther King, JR. It first starts of about the civil rights and how Martin believed in equality. It then goes on to talk about his past and how he met his wife and chose to become a minister. It leads up to the “I Have a Dream” speech and then ends with how he passed away but how he is remembered on. In memory of this great speaker we celebrate the life and his work on his birthday, it is known as a national holiday.
Personal review: This is a short biography about a man who had a dream, Marin Luther King, JR. This is similar to the biography of Abe Lincoln because both books carry a lot of interesting information but it is also easy to read. These books could be easily turned into lessons and or a vocabulary lesson.
11.) Dr. Seuss. (1970) Mr. Brown can moo! Can You? New York, Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade level or (Age): k-2nd
Summary: This is a book about Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown has many talents such as making noises come from his mouth that others cannot do. The list of sounds continue on and towards the end it gives you all the words that Mr. Brown can say and then asks you if you can say them as well.
Personal Review: This is a great book to build fluency and work with rhyming words. This book also has a lot of nonsense words so it’s good practice and can gets students mouths ready by starting off with rhyming and working their way towards other words. This book is also catchy and made me laugh so I would recommend this book if fluency building was needed.
12.)
Title: Dr. Seuss (1993) Fox in Socks, New York; Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade level or (age): 3-7
Summary: This is a rhyming story about Mr. Socks Fox who gives everyone a hard time about saying riddles correctly. There is a lot of nonsense words and rhyming.
Personal Review: Dr. Seuss has many different types of book but most if not all have some type rhythmic sound to it. These books are great to build fluency and work on nonsense words.
13.) Yasuda, Anita. (2013) Dino Detectives: Ghost sounds, North Mankato, Minnesota; Stone Ark Books.
Genre: Mystery
Grade Level or (Age): 2nd
Summary: This is a story about the young Dino Detectives solving the ghost sounding mystery. They Lay out some booby traps and wait for the sounds to strike again. When they realize that it was only their brother they are relieved.
Persona Review: This is a mystery book that you can stop with students in the middle of the story and ask them to make predictions. This is a good critical thinking skill that will make students wonder and discuss with others. I feel as if mystery books keep students interests a lot more, especially if you make it an investigation for them.
14.)
Title: Yasuda, Anita. (2013) Dino Detectives: The Missing Trumpet, North Mankato, Minnesota; Stone Ark Books.
Genre: Mystery
Grade level or (age): 2nd
Summary: This is a story about the young Dino Detectives solving the mystery of the missing trumpet. The Dino’s are about to attend their band concert when all of a sudden, the trumpet goes missing. With team work and their detective skills, they find out that it was his own sister who stole his trumpet.
Personal Review: This is a mystery book that you can also stop with the students in the middle of the story and ask them to make predictions towards what happened with the trumpet. This is a good critical thinking activity that could be turned into a writing response. I have read over five Dino Detective books just because they are so interesting and mysterious and I think students would love this book.
15.)
Title: Page, Robin Jenkins, Steve. (2013) What Animals Do on day One: My first day, Boston, New York; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Grade Level or (ages): 4-8
Summary: This is a book about how twenty different new born animals develop once they are born. Although it contains hard facts, the book gives you the information in a kind and easy way to better understand without specific higher level vocabulary.
Personal Reflection: This book contains a lot of information but presents it in a fun easy way. I think for students it would be an easy read and a good way to introduce animals and adaptation.
16.)
Title: Eastland, Chris Bleiman, Andrew. (2010) Zoo Borns; zoo babies from around the world, New York; Beach Lane Books.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Grade Level or (age): preschool- 1st
Summary: This is a book about 17 different types of animals that grow up in the zoo. Although it gives you specific facts and details it is presented in an easy way.
Personal Reflection: This is a great book to introduce students to the different types of animals that we don’t see every day out and about. Information is also included in here about where they would live if they didn’t live in the school and how there species are maintaining without them. Good information that could be turned into a lesson.
17.)
Title: Silverstien, Shel. (1964) The Giving tree, Harper and Row
Genre: Fable
Grade level or (Age): k-2nd
Summary: This is a story about a love between a tree and a boy. They shared a great bond and the tree would give and give to the boy whatever he needed or what the tree had to give. As the boy got older the less he would visit, soon the tree gave the boy everything that the tree had, and as this happened the tree was still happy regardless of the fact that she gave every part of her. If the boy was happy she was happy.
Personal reflection: This is a great story, it is sad that this book is no longer aloud in schools but I will read this book to my children as my mother read it to me. Overall great book, a little sad but still a classic.
18.)
Title: Pinkney, Jerry. (2009) The lion and the Mouse, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Fable
Grade Level or (age): 1st-3rd
Awards: Caldecott Medal Winner
Summary: This is a story about a lion and a mouse. The Lion and the mouse had a hesitant relationship at first, but as the lion allowed the mouse his life the mouse informed the lion that one day he will repay the lion. As the story continues the mouse has the opportunity to pay his debt and he does. As the mouse says that the lion will never have to bring this up considering his strength is what he is known for, the lion praises him and informs the mouse that he is forever in his debt.
Personal Review: This is a very well developed book. I really enjoyed this because it gets the point across that you should never underestimate someone regardless of size or matter. “Big things come in small packages” is my motto. This story in my opinion gives a moral ended and I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend this book.
Corina Rodriguez
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Seuss, Dr (1990) Oh, the Place You’ll Go. New York. Random House Children’s Books. Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level: PreK-4 Summary: The quote "Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed. (983⁄4% guaranteed.)" was used in my principals HS graduation speech. A book about the things you might encounter in your life as you grow up and how you should follow your dreams. Personal Review: One of my favorite children's books. One of those reads that is applicable at age 5 and age 18. I remember having my senior English teacher read this to us on our last day of school as a sort of encouragement. Green Eggs and Ham Seuss, Dr (1960) Green Eggs and Ham. United States. Random House Children’s Books. Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level: PreK-4 Summary: This book is about Sam-I-Am constantly asking an unnamed character to eat green eggs and ham. Finally however Sam-I-Am's friend tries the green eggs and ham and LOVES them and vows to eat them everywhere and in every place. Personal Review: This would be a great book for fluency. The students can find an easy rhythmic pattern to follow and build not just fluency but accuracy and speed as well.
The Tickle Tree Strathie, C (2012) The Tickle Tree. Parragon Books Genre: Picture Book Age: 2-6 years Summary: Asks the reader questions throughout the book while also telling a story, definitely revolves around imagination. By the end of the book the reader knows that through their dreams they can be anywhere and do anything. Personal Review: Amazing illustrations and great for working with children on imagination. My cousins ask us to read this book to the so much that the book is finally showing some wear and tear, definitely a great family/bed-time read.
April the Red Goldfish Leray, Marjolaine, and Sarah Ardizzone.(2014) April the Red Goldfish. N.p.: Phoenix Yard Genre: Picture Book Age: 6+ Summary: April doesn't like being a RED goldfish, she's a teenager that's bored in her tank and always dreaming up adventures she'd like to take while also thinking of life's "bigger" questions. Not exactly for very young children, more closer to pre-teens. Personal Review: I loved this book. I thought it was nice because goldfish are usually portrayed as the most meaningless pets but here April is much more than that. I really feel like this would be a great read for older kids feeling a little uncomfortable in their place in the world. The tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
DiCamillo, Kate. The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2003. Print. Genre: Animal Fantasy Grade Level: 3-5 Summary: This is about a mouse in love with a princess named Pea, and stories/music. Also a story about a rat named Roscuro, and a maid Miggery Sow who is a little slow. These three go on an adventure that takes them to many places. Each character is a different part of the book and all come together in the last and final part, the 4th Personal review: there is a lot of realism I found in this book and lots of character contrast. Despereaux and Roscuro experiences similar things yet react completely different. It was also nice to see the 3 different characters separately than all together for the most part, if that even makes sense. I really enjoyed Miggery Sows part in the book as sad as it was to imagine. Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type Cronin, D (2000) Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type. New York. Simon & Schuster Genre: Animal Fantasy Grade Level (or Ages): 2-8 years Summary: A short story about Farmer Brown's cows that write him notes on a typewriter because they would like electric blankets. When Farmer Brown won't comply the cows bring in the chickens and make an arrangement with Farmer Brown that they will give the typewriter back in exchange for the blankets. In the end, the cows do give the typewriter back but the duck then begins asking for a diving board and so the cycle begins again. Personal Review: I always enjoy reading this to students and it's great for their fluency and for a readers theatre. There are a lot of extension activities you could create using this book which would be great for a classroom since teachers are always looking to stretch a dollar so why not get more uses out of it than just reading. Silly Milly Lewison, Wendy Cheyette. Silly Milly. Cartwheel Books, 2010. Print. Grade: K-2 Genre: Riddles, Poetry and Rhymes Summary: Rhyming book for young readers, and old alike. Easy to follow and poetry is always good for fluency. About a girl that likes one thing, but not the other and in the end you find out why. She likes double letters!! Personal review: I've read this to my cousins many a time because they love it so much. Such a cute book and the ending really brings it together completely for a great "AHA!" moment. Kids will love this book. The Grapes of Math Tang, Greg, and Harry Briggs. The Grapes of Math: Mind Stretching Math Riddles. New York: Scholastic, 2001. Print. Genre: Riddle, poetry, and rhymes Grade level: Any! Summary: Greg Tang writes techniques that helped him solve math problems in really interesting and kid friendly ways. The illustrations are just as good! An example of a technique is
"How many grapes are on the vine? Counting each takes too much time. Never Fear, I have a hunch There is a match for every bunch! Personal Review: I'm very good at math, but the way he describes these techniques would have been perfect for me when I was younger and actually struggling. I will definitely be buying this book for my classrooms personal library and will use these techniques in my classroom to help the students that maybe learn a little outside of the box. Such an awesome way to help kids with math.
Kick, Pass and Run Kessler, Leonard. Kick, Pass and Run. HarperCollins, 1996. Grades: K-2 Genre: Sports Summary: About some animals that think they find an "egg" but turns out its a boy's football that he and his dad are playing with. The animals are introduced to the game of football and learn the basics of the sport. Great read for young kids. Personal review: The most perfect read for any boy or girl interested in football or just have a love of sports. I grew up having to watch football with my parents and never even knew what was going on, I wish I had read this book then so I could have enjoyed the "family time" more! Miss Nelson has a Field Day Allard, Harry, and James Marshall. Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. Print. Grades: Pre K- 3rd Genre: Sports Summary: Horace B. Smedley School has a losing football and nothing seems to help them get a win until Miss Viola Swamp appears and gets the team back on their feet just in time for Thanksgiving.
I LOVED field day when I was in primary and elementary school and I think this would be the most perfect addition to any teacher classroom library if their school participates in a field day. Very well written and enjoyable book. Bunnicula Howe, James, Deborah Howe, and Mondadori,. Bunnicula. Milano: Mondadori, 1989. Print. Grades: 3-5 Genre: Fiction Summary: Two boys, Pete and Toby, return from the movies one night with a small bunny they found with a note tied around its neck in ancient dialect. A little time goes by and the family notices strange things happening to all of their vegetables and there appears to be 2 tiny fang marks. The cat assumes that the rabbit is actually a vampire and Chester goes through hoops basically to prove this to everyone and even trying to kill the rabbit with a meat steak. Chester is diagnosed with cat therapy and Bunnicula is put on an all veggie/liquid diet. The white veggies stop turning up and the family assumes it was a vegetable blight and continue living blissfully without knowing the truth. Personal review: I loved it because it was written from the dogs point of view and there are a lot of connections that students can make throughout the story. Great for students that like reading about animals.
Sideways stories from Wayside School. Sachar, Louis, and Julie Brinckloe. Sideways Stories from Wayside School. New York, NY: Avon, 1985. Print. Genre: Children's Fiction Grade Level: k-5 Summary: Wayside was supposed to be like a normal school with one story and 30 classrooms but there was a mix-up and was created instead with 30 stories and 1 classroom on each story. Each chapter is a different story about a different student. The teacher actually turns her students into apples that she keeps on her desk and then she herself is turned into an apple. Every chapter is varying so the student shouldn't get bored reading this. Personal Review: I remember reading this story in 5th grade and for some reason I didn't like it too much then, but rereading it now I love it. The stories are very silly and entertaining. This would be a good thing to keep on hand if you're trying to pass time because the stories are so short.
The City of Ember DuPrau, Jeanne. The City of Ember. New York: Random House, 2003. Print. Genre: Sci-fi Grade level: 6-8 Summary: The "Builders" create an underground city for people to survive for the next 200 years because earth is dangerous and apparently uninhabitable. The builders give the first mayor a locked box that is passed down to each new mayor and is set to open after 200 years and gives instructions on how to go back to the surface. One mayor tries to break the box open but fails and dies without passing the box down to the next mayor and no one knows why it's so important. almost 200+ years go by and everyone is running out of supplies and the generator is breaking down. Lina the main character comes across the instructions but they are ruined and ripped. She and Doon try to decipher it and realize this is how they will get out of the city. They go on a journey and reach the outside world never even knowing they were ever living underground. The send the note back down to Ember hoping someone finds it and leads everyone back. Personal review: I read this in 5th grade and loved it. I found myself trying to decipher the note before Lina did just so I could feel proud of myself or something I suppose. This is a really great sci-fi read for girls, and maybe boys. I just found out there was a sequel but probably won't read it. I think they also tried developing a movie after this book.
Artemis Fowl Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl. New York: Miramax /Hyperion for Children, 2003. Print Genre: Sci-fi Grade Level: 6-9th Summary: Artemis is a millionaire and a young criminal and he is only 12, not to mention a genius. He is on the hunt for a Fairy holy book written in Gnome. He is basically being hunted the Holly Short who is part of the police and ends up using up her magic capturing a troll. Artemis is also trying to perform the ritual that requires random acorns under certain specifications. Artemis asks Holly to cure his mothers insanity, and also is able to live through a "Blue Rinse" due to sleeping pills. He says he got the idea from old fairy tales. Personal Review: I read this book when I was younger and hated it. I thought it was a "Boy" book. But looking back, I would enjoy it now probably. Good book for young adult that like suspense and fantasy all in one. Also plenty of books in the series to keep students entertained.
Coraline Gaiman, Neil, and Dave McKean. Coraline. New York: HarperCollins, 2002. Print. Genre: Horror Grade level: 6-8 Summary: Coraline lives with her parents but they are very distant and don't really pay attention to her. Despite what others tell her she goes through a mysterious door leading to a hallway that leads her to an alternate universe like hers except here everyone has buttons for eyes. In this world everything is how she wishes it to be, until it's not. Her other mother is actually evil and wants to replace Coralines eyes with buttons as well. Through triumph and help from her other world friends Coraline defeats the other mother and saves her parents. Personal review: This book gave me nightmares when I read it. Seriously. It was the creepiest thing I had read and this was made all the worse when they made a movie version of it and I could finally see what the characters were supposed to look like. I loved this book and have reread it multiple times, but I would not recommend for children that are easily scared. The witches Dahl, Roald, and Quentin Blake. The Witches. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1983. Print. Genre: Definitely Horror, seriously. Grade level: 3-5, but in my opinion any age! Summary: Grandmamma tells a boy about all the evil witches that exist that like to kill children. She warns him that English witches are the worst ones of all especially The Grand Witch. He is enticed by a witch while working on his tree house but knows better than to come down. The grandma and boy go on ordered vacation to a hotel where he finds pet mice. Oddly enough the "Royal society for the prevention of cruelty to children" is also at the hotel, and of course they're witches in disguise! Here they plot to rid the world of children by poisoning them with chocolate. The boy ends up poisoning the witches instead and they all turn to mice the hotel panics and kills The grand high witch because she becomes a mouse. Personal Review: The book wasn't so bad growing up. The movie however....nightmares. All I dreamt about for at least a few years were bald old women coming to kill me. Seriously. The book is amazing, but I still cannot watch the movie all the way through without freaking out. Is that weird?
Pete the Cat Dean, Kim, and James Dean. Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure. N.p.: HarperCollins, n.d. Print/. Genre: Religion Grade Level: K-2 Summary: Pete gives the Easter bunny a helping hand, he paints the eggs, hides the eggs, then receives a "#1 helper" ribbon. Very short. Personal Review: Cute little book about Easter, very short read but great for very young kids especially during this season. That's how I came across the book actually. I found myself laughing at how the cat was drawn because he looks so dead-eyed and like he doesn't even enjoy what he's doing. Looked very sarcastic.
God gave us Easter Bergren, Lisa Tawn., and Laura J. Bryant. God Gave Us Easter. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2012. Print. Genre: Religion Ages: 3-8 Summary: A young cub asks her father questions about Easter and the father explains that God has plans for all of us and tells her how Easter came to be in child friendly terms. Personal Review: Obviously not ok for a classroom library, but I could see this somewhere in Sunday School. I thought it was very cute and well written for small children, I think it'd be great to not just read to your child but have them read to you as well if they can. Very nice bedtime story around Easter time.
Meghan LaNoue
Starlight
Title: Earhart, K. (2006). Starlight. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Realistic
Reading Level: Primary; K-2nd Grade
Summary: This book is about a little girl named Haley who is having a very hard time training her horse, Starlight. She encounters many obstacles with this horse. One night, Starlight escapes from the ranch and gets lost in the woods and Haley makes a wish to find Starlight. Her hard work eventually ends up paying off.
Personal Review: I believe this book is great for students because it is a fiction book about a realistic situation. Having a pet horse is slightly different than having a dog or cat as a pet. You have to care for it, groom it, and even train it. Starlight shows how sometimes is can take a while to train a pet and it shows that even if you feel like giving up, you need to keep working hard because it will pay off in the end.
Mrs. Toggles Zipper
Title:Pulver, R. (1990). Mrs. Toggles Zipper. New York, NY: Four Winds Press.
Genre:Fiction
Reading Level:Primary
Summary:This book is about a teacher named Mrs. Toggle who is a teacher at an Elementary School. She is wearing a fuchsia colored coat and has trouble getting the zipper to unzip because it is stuck! Her entire class and even faculty members including the principal and custodian pitch in to help Mrs. Toggle unzip the coat.
Personal Review: I love this book! I think it’s great for students because it shows that not only children need help but also adults. Even if it’s something small like helping a teacher unzip her coat. Mrs. Toggles Zipper shows students that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it; no one is perfect.
Puzzle Planet
Title:Leigh, S. (2003). Puzzle Planet. Tulsa, OK: EDC Publishing.
Genre:Thriller
Reading Level:Primary
Summary:Puzzle Planet is about a young new astronaut named Archie. Archie travels to Puzzle Plant to hopefully save space creatures. This book takes you through different puzzles before Archie is able to rescue the sea creatures. Some of the puzzles include Star Maze, Planet Puzzle, and Ice Storm.
Personal Review: This book is a fiction but it’s also a thriller that takes you through different adventures in space. Each page includes puzzles that the student has to solve in order to save the creatures. The student has to read the instructions and observe the pages to find the puzzle that has been described. Or the student may have to find a safe route for Archie to take in space. It’s a very engaging book and teaches students a lesson that not everything comes easy, you may have to work hard and overcomes “puzzles”.
Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test
Title:Rylant, C. (1991). Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre:Comedy
Reading Level:Primary
Summary:This book is about Henry and his dog, Mudge. Mudge is an intelligent dog but has terrible manners. Even Henry and his family notice the bad manners that come from Mudge. Henry and Mudge enroll in a training dog school so Mudge can hopefully learn some manners.
Personal Review:This book is great for students because it’s a chapter book but it’s not long like other chapter books. This would be great for children who are just starting to read chapter books. However, even though it’s a chapter book, it still shows pictures on every page. So this book is even great for younger children as well. This book also teaches students about responsibilities that come along with having a pet.
Wolves
Title:Simon, S. (1993). Wolves. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre:Informational
Reading Level:Primary- Elementary
Summary:This book, Wolves, is written by a Science writer who wants to teach and give information to elementary school readers about Wolves using very in depth descriptions and colorful real life pictures. The author teaches the readers through pictures and diagrams throughout the book.
Personal Review:I think this book would be a great book for students who are being introduced to using text features. This book includes a glossary and index. The words are tad bit challenging so students may need help pronouncing and understanding the meaning. But this book gives great information about Wolves and proves that wolves aren’t just bad, dangerous animals but they are a type of dog.
Sea Critters
Title:Earle, S. A. (2007). Sea Critters. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre:Non-Fiction
Reading Level:Primary
Summary:This book is all about the different sea critters that live under the water. It gives full descriptions of the ‘critters’ and how they move about the sea and ocean.
Personal Review: I believe that this book is great for students because it educates them on the creatures that live in places that we cannot see. This book also gives different pictures of each ‘critter’ to help the student get a better idea about what the creature really looks like. It also talks about what creatures are related to each other. It’s a great way to help students classify animals and they are able to learn in a fun way.
One Day in the Woods
Title:George, J.C. (1995). One Day in the Woods. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre:Adventure
Reading Level:4th grade
Summary:This book is about a girl named Rebecca who sets off into the woods to find a magical wizard her uncle told her about. While Rebecca is in the woods she finds magic everywhere! She sees all kinds of animals and the way they live is magical is her. The readers follow her progress of discovering secrets all through the woods.
Personal Review:This book is great for students because it covers a wide variety of subjects. It covers birds and how they live, science, animals, and their habitats. The book also talks about plants and flowers that grow in the forest. This books also covers real things but in a fictional way to help keep the students interested in the text.
Hop on Pop
Title:Seuss, Dr. (1963). Hop on Pop. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.
Genre:Rhyming
Reading Level:Beginner
Summary:This book an opener for young children who are learning rhyming words and how to rhyme. Once they recognize one word, they soon then to find out than changing the first letter of another word rhymes with it.
Personal Review: This book is great for young children learning how to rhyme. Some rhyming words include; hop and pop, cup and pup, mouse and house, and even tall and small. Not only are children learning rhyming words they are also learning vocabulary and what the words exactly means. This is where the pictures come into play, they can use context clues and the pictures to distinguish what the words mean.
The Little Mermaid
Title:Fairy Tale Classic. (1998). The Little Mermaid Storybook. Ashland, OH: Landoll, Inc.
Genre:Fairy Tale
Reading Level:Beginner
Summary:This book is about a mermaid named Ariel. Ariel is very dissatisfied with living in the sea as a mermaid. She wants to explore life on land. Her father, King Triton, forbids Ariel to explore the land. Ariel ends up meeting with Ursula, the Sea Witch. But little does Ariel know, Ursula has other plans for her and her father.
Personal Review: Of course this fairytale has been around for years and years. But this book is a short storybook of The Little Mermaid. It’s perfect for beginner readers because each page only contains a few sentences. This book is great because it also contains pictures on every page so a lot of young readers will be engaged in the short story.
*Kara Ashby
A Tree for All Seasons Title: Bernard, R. (2001). A tree for all seasons. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society Genre: Informational Grade/Age Level: K-4 Summary: This book takes a close look into examining the changes that occur in a sugar maple tree as the season’s progress. Review: This is a great book to use for learning about the different seasons. This book is loaded with pictures and is an easy read for younger children. It is extremely informational and will help children learn about the maple tree in its different seasons. Amazing Jungle! Title: Diaz, K. (). Amazing Jungle!. : Pearson Education, Inc.. Genre: Informational Grade/Age Level: K-5 Summary: This colorful and vibrant book helps children learn about what a jungle is, what type of animals and plants surround it, and explains the different layers inside a jungle. Review: This book is definitely something children will be interested in. The book goes into great detail about all parts of the jungle. It also features a useful picture glossary that readers can refer to. I learned a lot about the jungle from this book! It would be a wonderful book for a science lesson. Duck on a Bike Title: Shannon, D. (2002). Duck on a bike. New York: Blue Sky Press. Genre: Fantasy Grade/Age level: K-2 Summary: When a duck finds a parked bike, he decides to give it a ride. He rides past all of his farm animal friends and most of them think he is crazy, but some would like to ride too. When more kids park their bikes and go inside, the rest of the animals ride bikes too. Review: This is a silly picture book perfect for preschool aged kids. I have read it to young children before and it’s always a big hit. I love how the book ends with the duck looking at a tractor, leaving the audience questioning if he will try to ride that next! Chameleon’s Colors Title: Tashiro, C., & Martens, M. (2003). Chameleon's colors ([1st U.S. ed.). New York: North-South Books. Genre: Fantasy Grade/Age level: 5 and up Summary: Chameleon is tired of always blending in and no one ever noticing him. His friends tell him they think it’s cool that he can change colors. Chameleon paints all of the animals with wild colors and patterns. Soon after, each animal realizes they like what their appearance looked like originally because it helped them survive. Review: This is a very cute and imaginative book. The book teaches students to be comfortable in their own skin and to love yourself for who you are. It would also be good to use for an art lesson. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and appreciate the message! Kevin and His Dad Title: Smalls, I., & Hays, M. (1999). Kevin and his dad. Boston: Little, Brown and Co.. Genre: Poetry Grade/Age level: 3-6 years old Award: 1999 Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winner Summary: This rhyming book is about a day in the life of a father and son as they tackle on their typical Saturday plans. They clean the whole house and then have time to play together. Review: This is a sweet book about the bond of a father and son. As I was reading it I could feel the love the two characters shared. Children will love the rhyming words that each page has. It also makes doing chores look fun! The Cat in the Hat Title: Dr. Seuss (2005) The Cat in the Hat. Random House Books for Young Readers. Genre: Poetry Grade/Age level: Pre-k – 2nd grade Summary: Sally and her brother are home alone on a rainy day. The Cat shows up and shows them his wild tricks to entertain them. Thing 1 and Thing 2 destroy the house and the kids are so worried. The Cat creates a machine to clean the mess up, and then he disappears. Review: This is a classic children’s book. Like many others, I grew up reading this book. It’s a great beginner’s book and a good way to introduce rhyming into the classroom. Sweet Land of Liberty Title: Gingrich, C. and Arciero, S. (1992) Sweet Land of Liberty. Regnery Kids. Genre: Historical Fiction Grade/Age level: Preschool-3rd grade Summary: Ellis the Elephant visits significant times in our nation’s history. Ellis travels through time to discover and learn more about the first Thanksgiving, the Boston Tea Party, George Washington, the great frontier, and the first man on the moon. Review: This book helps young readers have fun while reading about the history of where we come from. I read it to my preschool class and they loved the characters and the rhyming. It helps children learn about the events that made our nation the way it is today. It’s illustrations are also very neat. It’s the perfect book for a history lesson! Yankee Doodle Dandy Title: Gingrich, C. and Arciero, S. (2013) Yankee Doodle Dandy. Regnery Kids. Genre: Historical Fiction Grade/Age level: Preschool-3rd grade Summary: Ellis the Elephant walks the reader through history. In this book, we learn more about America’s patriots and how they fought for independence. Ellis goes back into time to visit and encounter historical events and people in our nation’s history such as: Paul Revere, The Founding Fathers, Betsy Ross, and more. Review: Having such a cute character like Ellis keeps children entertained while learning such important events. It’s such a fun way to teach children about our nation’s history! The book is an easy read for younger students and has such beautiful illustrations. One Dark Night Title: Hutchins, H. J., & Hartung, S. K. (2001). One dark night. New York: Viking. Genre: Mystery Grade/Age level: preschool-2nd grade Summary: On one summer night a thunderstorm begins. Jonathan is safe inside but sees a stray cat outside. The cat comes in with a kitten and runs back out. His Grandma thinks the stray cat has disappeared but she brings in another kitten. The storm is getting worse and the stray cat goes back out, bringing in one more kitten. Review: This is a sweet book about a frightening thunderstorm and a stray cat protecting her kittens. The author leaves the audience wondering what will happen next to the cat each time it runs out. Children will love counting down the seconds each time the thunder rolls. Sleepover Sleuths Title: Keene, C. and Pamintuan, M. (1992) Sleepover Sleuths (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #1). Aladdin. Genre: Mystery Grade/Age level: 6-9 years old Summary: Dierdre has invited her 3 best friends to a sleepover and each friend has to bring their City Girls dolls. They are excited for a fun night of junk food and a fashion show, but the girls get worried once Dierdre’s doll goes missing. Review: Any book on Nancy Drew is a hit with children, particular the younger girl audience. This book keeps the readers on their toes wondering how Nancy will use her detective skills to find the missing doll. Who Was Albert Einstein? Title: Brallier, J. M., & Parker, R. A. (2002). Who was Albert Einstein?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. Genre: Biography Grade/Age Level: 8-12 years old Summary: In the book, readers learn important facts on Albert Einstein’s life. The book describes his early struggles in life, his extraordinary abilities, his family life, and scientific discoveries. Review: Most people know who Albert Einstein is, but this is a great book that goes into detail about his life and how he impacted our lives today. This would be a great book for social studies and science. Who Was Walt Disney? Title: Stewart, W., & Harrison, N. (2009). Who was Walt Disney?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. Genre: Biography Grade/Age level: 8-12 years old Summary: This biography reveals the man behind all the magic. The book goes into details about events in his life, where he grew up, his childhood, and how he left the world such a wonderful place. Review: It was neat to learn about Walt Disney and how he created all the fun cartoons we know of today. This book is very informational and would be a great resource for students who are doing an assignment on a historical figure. The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza) Title: Sturges, P., & Walrod, A. (1999). The Little Red Hen (makes a pizza.) New York: Dutton Children's Books. Genre: Traditional Literature (folktale) Grade/Age level: 3-5 years old Summary: This is a fun rendition of the classic tale of the Little Red Hen. In this book, the hen wants to make a pizza but doesn’t have the supplies. She asks her friends to help out but they are all too busy. One she makes her delicious smelling pizza, her friends suddenly become available to eat it. Happily, all of the friends help the Hen clean up the dishes when they are done eating. Review: I love that this book teaches the readers to always help their friends out. I read it to my preschool students and they love reading the next lines before I do. This is a great modern version that all children will love! The Legend of a Bluebonnet Title: dePaola, T. (1983) The Legend of the Bluebonnet. Puffin Publishers. Genre: Traditional Literature Grade/Age level: preschool-3rd Summary: In this book, the author retells the folktale of how the bluebonnet became the state flower. A young Comanche girl sacrifices her doll for the Great Spirits during a terrible drought. In return, the Great Spirits cover the ground with beautiful blue bonnets. Review: This is a great read for younger students. I have used this book in the past for Texas Public School Week. Students love learning about our state flower and the interesting story behind it! The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body Title: Cole, J. and Degan, B. (1989) The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body. Scholastic Press. Genre: Science Fiction Grade/Age level: Pre-k-3rd grade Summary: Ms. Frizzle is teaching her students about the human body. All is well until classmate Arnold accidently swallows the bus! The class takes a closer look into Arnold’s stomach, intestines, and bloodstream. Review: The Magic School bus series is guaranteed to be a hit with young readers. I used this book on a lesson on the human body and the children loved it. This book features notes, close ups, and diagrams that students can refer to. The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System Title: Cole, J., & Degen, B. (1990). The magic school bus, lost in the solar system. New York: Scholastic Inc.. Genre: Science Fiction Grade/age level: pre-k-3rd grade Summary: Ms. Fizzle saves the day when the class finds out the museum is closed. The magic school bus turns into a spaceship and takes the class into the atmosphere. The book goes into great detail about our solar system all while Ms. Fizzle and her class are on a wacky fieldtrip! Review: This would be a perfect book to read to students for a unit on space. Each page goes into detail about our solar system. The author makes the concept of space easy for young readers to understand. Readers will also enjoy the comedy and fun that Ms. Fizzle brings! The Ugly Vegetables Title: Lin, G. (1999). The ugly vegetables (Anniversary ed.). Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade/age level: 4-8 years old Summary: A little girl and her mother start a garden in their backyard along with their neighbors. The girl notices that her garden isn’t beautiful like those around her. She is upset that they are growing colorful flowers and she has ugly vegetables. After her mom picks the vegetables, she makes a delicious vegetable soup. All of the neighbors come try the soup and the girl is proud that her family grows vegetables. Review: I love that this book is about a girl feeling different from others, but soon realizes that she is special as well. This book has amazing illustrations. The book has a glossary for the Chinese words used throughout the book. The book also includes directions on how to make Ugly Vegetable Soup. It’s a good book on teaching kids about different cultures and customs. Raccoon on his Own Title: Arnosky, J. (2001). Raccoon on his own. New York: G.P. Putnam's. Genre: Realistic Fiction Grade/Age level: 2-6 years old Summary: A baby raccoon is swept downstream in an empty canoe. The baby raccoon is terrified at first but then he notices the view around him – all kinds of things he has never seen before. His family watches him from shore as he safely reunites with them. Review: This is a cute, easy read for young children. They can relate to being so dependent on their parents. The pictures on each page are bright and fit perfect with the story. Children will also love the animals the raccoon encounters on his way. *
Megan Solis
Where the Sidewalk Ends Silverstein, S. (1974). Where the sidewalk ends: the poems & drawings of Shel Silverstein.. New York: Harper and Row. Author: Shel Silverstein Genre: Poetry Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: This book has an abundance of funny and outrageous poems that will encourage students to want to keep reading. The poems in this book will make you think what was the author thinking while reading this? Personal Review: I grew up on books written by Shel Silverstein. I loved reading his poems about a girl eating a whale, or how to auction off my sister. His poetry encouraged me to use my imagination as a student and to think outside of the box and I feel it will do the same for my students in the classroom.
Sleepy Book Zolotow, C. (1958). Sleepy book. New York, NY: HarperTrophy. Author: Charlotte Zolotow Genre: Poetry Grade level: 1 Summary;This book is a children’s book that shows students different ways that animals sleep whether it is a pigeon, or seal. This book fills the curiosity of students of other things in the world that also sleep at night. Personal Review:I chose this book because I love how it informs the students about how other animals sleep in the world. Looking at the cover, I thought this would just be another book telling a child how they need to go to sleep really soon. But it’s so much more than that. I myself learned things about how animals sleep that I hadn’t learned before. It’s very informative and is not just a bedtime story. It’s educational as well.
The Giving Tree Silverstein, S. (1964). The giving tree. New York: Harper & Row. Author: Shel Silverstein Genre: Picture Book Grade level: K-2 Summary: Every day a young boy would visit and tree and swing from her branches, eat her apples, and climb up and down her trunk. Each day he grew older and each day he wanted and asked for more from the tree. The tree would happily give the boy whatever he wanted. For years the tree and given to the boy, even at the very end when there was nothing but her stump left, she provided that same boy, now an old man, a place to sit. Personal Review: I love this book, although it is sad, it shows a great life lesson to all ages to not take things for granted. You can receive everything from someone time and time and again but never give back. People are okay with that. But it teaches students that even though they may be given things multiple times, they will not always be there.
So You Want To Be A President? Small, D., & George, J. (2000). So you want to be a president?. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. Author:Judith St. George Genre: Picture Book Grade Level: 3-5 Summary:This book is very informative when it comes to our past presidents. It’s a fun and outgoing read for students to have that tells them different similarities and differences of each of the presidents. Personal Review: After reading this book, I learned things that I had never even known about our presidents before. So I felt that the students would really benefit and have fun reading about their past presidents and have an interest of their history.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack, moo cows that type. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division Author: Doreen Cronin Genre: Fiction Grade Level: 2 Summary:Farmer Brown starts to encounter problems when he discovers his cows know how to type! They start leaving him notes demanding better working conditions and start to go on strike. All day long all Farmer Brown hears is CLICK CLACK MOO! Personal Review:This book is something fun for the students to read. It gives them a sense of standing up for themselves and what they believe in. Showing how they can let themselves be heard in a fun way and starting at a young age.
Old Reddy Drum: A Tale of Redfish Tate, S. (1993). Old reddy drum a tale of redfish. North Carolina: Borden Printing Plant. Author: Suzanne Tate Genre: Fiction Grade level: 2 Summary:
Old Reddy Drum is a wise as well as powerful fish that gives wonderful advise to a young fish named Peter Puppy Drum that could also save his life in the end if he chooses to listen to it. Personal Review: This book shows children that those that are older than you can always help you no matter what the situation is. Don’t be afraid to ask someone what to do because they may have been in the same boat and know exactly what to tell you to do.
The Magic School Bus: At the Waterworks Cole, J. (1986). The magic school bus at the waterworks. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. Author: Joanna Cole Genre: Informational Text Grade level: 3-5 Summary: Mrs. Frizzle takes her class on the Magic School Buss to the Waterworks to experience the purification system. But they aren’t looking at it from the outside, they are actually in it! Personal Review: I chose this book because the Magic School Bus is always a fun read for students. It teaches them about different characteristics in our world such as the purification system in this book. It also has different areas in the book that tell the students facts about the subject of the book which is very educating.
The Magic School Bus: On the Ocean Floor Cole, J. (1992). The magic school bus on the ocean floor. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. Author: Joanna Cole Genre: Informational Text Grade level: 3 Summary:Ms. Frizzle takes her students down into the ocean on the great Magic School Bus. In this book, they look at ocean floor and encounter crabs, lobster and even some dolphins! Personal Review:The Magic School Bus is a great book to have students in order for them to learn different things such as what lives in the ocean and on the ocean floor. The different facts that are placed on every page and the illustration that is done in this book make the book so much more interesting for students.
The Phantom Tollbooth Juster, N., & Feiffer, J. (1961). The phantom tollbooth. New York: Epstein & Carroll ; distributed by Random House. Author: Norton Juster Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 3-5 Summary: This story is about a young boy named Milo who is always bored and just not interested in anything anyone has to say or do. Until, one day he comes home to find a giant tollbooth in his room and assembles it. With this tollbooth he decides to take his toy car through the booth and go on amazing adventures. He visits the land of numbers, the land of words, and meets a dog named Tock. Through these lands and many other characters along the way, Milo learns how extraordinary his life can truly be. Personal Review: This book has a lot of humor and will teach students to cherish the little things in life that they have. The fun characters Milo encounters and the different lands he visits will encourage kids to go on their own adventures and make new memories.
Matilda Dahl, R., & Blake, Q. (1988). Matilda. New York: Viking Kestrel. Author: Ronald Dahl Genre: Fantasy Grade level: 3-5 Summary: Matilda is a misunderstood young girl who loves to play practical jokes using her magical powers. Taken for granted by her wealthy parents and the scary Ms. Trunchbull, Matilda finds happiness through her magic. Personal Review: I find that this book helps students find the good in bad situations. Their home or school life may not be the greatest but they could always find something in those hard times that make them happy.
Who was George Washington? Edwards, R., & Kelley, T. (2009). Who was George Washington?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. Author: Roberta Edwards Genre: Biography Grade Level: 3-5 Summary: This book gives an overview of George Washington’s life. It includes his life as a child, his life in the military, as a President, and his death. Personal Review: It’s important for students to know about the past president’s who have served the country, especially the first president of the United States. Reading this book will contribute to that knowledge.
Who was Jackie Robinson? Herman, G., & Brien, J. (2011). Who was Jackie Robinson?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. Author: Gail Herman Genre: Biography Grade Level: 3-4 Summary: This book not only talks about how talented Jackie Robinson is in football, basketball and baseball. But it also talks about his childhood and what it took to get to where he was. This book most importantly recognizes how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball. Personal Review: This is a very important book for students to read. Not just because it acknowledges how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball. But it shows students to never give up on something that they believe in no matter how hard it may be or what anyone says, go for it.
Rap a Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles, Think of That! Dillon, L., & Dillon, D. (2002). Rap a tap tap: here's Bojangles think of that!. New York: Blue Sky Press. Author:Diane Dillon Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level: PreK-2 Summary: This rhythmic book tells the life of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson who is a talented African American tap dancer. The rhythmic words and colorful illustrations leave you repeating the story throughout the day in your head. Personal Review: I feel this book is great for students to learn that reading books can be fun and actually feel like a song. Even though it’s a fun book, it still gives awareness of the many individuals who made a difference.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Martin, B., & Carle, E. (1992). Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?. New York: H. Holt. Author: Bill Martin Jr. Genre: Rhythmic Book Grade Level: K-2 Summary: This book is about what a brown bear sees in his surroundings, which include a purple cat, blue horse and many more colorful animals. With the colorful illustrations, it shows students that not everything has to be what society says for them to be. You can make it whatever you want it to be. Personal Review: Growing up I remember reading this book time and time again because I loved the rhythmic words used. I found myself saying it throughout the day. It was my go to book.
Alphabet Fleet, Matthew Van. Alphabet. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008. Print. Author: Matthew Van Fleet Genre: Interactive Reading Grade Level: Preschool Summary: The Alphabet book has many animals from A-Z describing not only the alphabet, but action words, opposites as well as synonyms. There are textures, pull tabs, flaps and many other interactive tools for students at such a young age to use. Personal Review: I feel like this book is great for students with special needs in particular. Students that are in the special education classroom learn better when they are able to feel what is being described to them and this interactive book will do just that.
Opposites Author:Robert Crowther Genre: Interactive Reading Grade Level: Preschool Summary: This book is great for helping students distinguish the opposites of expressions such as happy, or feeling cold. Students at a young age may have a hard time understanding what the meaning of opposite is and this book helps them comprehend it better. With pull tabs and bright colors, this book is great for the special education classroom as well. Personal Review: I loved the illustrations in this book and how they distinguished the difference between two opposites. Interactive books are great for students that learn hands on and this will help them understand what the meaning of opposite is.
The Five Chinese Brothers Author: Claire Huchet Bishop Genre:Folk Tale Grade Level: K-2 Summary: This book is about five brothers from China and each of these brothers hold a special hidden talent.One can swallow the sea; one has an iron neck; one can stretch his legs; one can survive fire; and the last can hold his breath forever. But trouble arises when one of the brothers goes fishing with a boy one day. Personal Review: This book shows how everyone is different in their own way and families stick together no matter how hard times may get. They support one another and I feel that is important to show students at a young age.
Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears Author: Verna Aardema Genre: Folk Tale Grade Level: K-2 Summary: This Folk Tale tells the story of a chain reaction of events that happen because a mosquito decided to gossip about a nearby farmer. Tension rises through out the story and the King Lion wants to get the bottom of it. Personal Review: I think this shows students early on that not everything seen or heard needs to be repeated. It hurts other, makes them angry or someone ends up getting hurt.
Claudia Hernandez Title: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Author: Eric Carle
Genre: Poetry and Rhyme
Awards:
Grade level (or age): Pre K-2
Summary: The animals are asked what they see, and the animal responds with a color and another animal.
Personal Review: This book has no plot. Although, it is a good book for children to learn color and different animals.
Title: Germs! Germs! Germs!
Genre: Poetry and Rhyme
Author: Bobbi Katz
Grade level (or age):k-2
Summary: Learning about germs in a rhyme. It describes how germs cause you to be sick. How to make sure you don’t spread germs.
Personal Review: Young children are unaware of germs. This books makes learning about being clean and not spread germs in a fun way. It is important to make sure students stay healthy. This is a perfect book for the topic.
Title: The Very Busy Spider
Author: Eric Carle
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: A little spider one day decides to spin a web. Each animal comes buy and asks the spider to go and do something with them, but the spider never responds to the other animals. She keeps going until she finally finishes her web.
Personal Review: This a good book for students to be able to learn to finish their work before they can play. It is made with colorful pictures and an easy read.
Title: The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
Author: Eugene Trivizas
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: The three little wolves went out into the world and built themselves a home, only to have it destroyed by the big bad pig. After failed attempts, they then came across a flamingo bird which solved all their problems.
Personal Review: This story involved multiple plot changes, in doing so capturing the reader’s attention. This book can be used to show that there is many way to tell a folk tale. Students can also make up their own scenarios throughout the storyline.
Title: The Story of Rudy Bridges
Author:
Genre: Biography
Awards: Robert Coles
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Rudy a young African American girl is enrolled in an all white school. Many events happen because her skin color is different. Rudy’s parents encouraged her and never moved her to another school.
Personal Review: The concept of the book is a good concept to teach children not every one is the same and it is okay to be different. It is important to stand up for what you believe in.
Title: Marley: A Dog Like No Other
Author: John Grogan
Genre: Biography
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 6-8
Summary: A Labrador retriever named Marley always found himself in a nose of trouble. Others even described him as the “worst dog ever”, especially the Grogan’s. Only as the storyline progresses, it is soon to be discovered that Marley then becomes the heart of the family.
Personal Review: This book has a touching storyline showing that people and their perspectives can change over time. Being a dog owner and a pet lover, this book really spoke to me.
Title: Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy
Author: Barbara Park
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Junie B. Jones is instructed to bring a pet, apart of “Bring your pet to school day” yet the only rule is that dogs are not allowed. Being that Junie only has a dog as pet, Junie is then forced to think outside the box and replace her pet with something other than a dog.
Personal Review: I loved this book! The storyline was humorous and filled with possibilities. The outcome of the story left me in the best of moods, laughing the day away.
Class Literature Portfolio Jennifer Rhodes 1) Kirk, D. (1999). Nova's ark. New York: Scholastic Press/Callaway Genre: Fiction (Science Fiction/Fantasy/Adventure) Culture: Universal Award(s): 1997 Caldecott Medal Grade Level: K-3 Summary Nova is a sentient robot living on a planet named Roton that is fueled by crystals; they keep it alive. Sadly, they are running out, and one day inspired by his precious wooden ark and wooden animals, Roton decides to escape on s spaceship to find his father who has left the year before in search of the crystals. Nova's ship, after travelling far through space, crash lands on a moon, and, inspired by his ark, builds robot animals out of the ship pieces to keep him company. The very next day his own father's ship crash lands, but his father is not reviving. In one of the most touching scenes I have read in a long time, each of the animals donates a piece of themselves to save his dad; with Nova making the biggest one of all: One of the valves from his heart! Together, they make an ark and return home, saving their planet and reuniting his whole family. Personal Review: I loved the bright colors and fantastic animals and spaceships in this book: they made the story come alive, even making the crystals in the book glow! I enjoyed the parallels to Noah's Ark saving a family like Nova's Ark did. It is both a fun adventure and moral message to take care of our Earth. It would be a great choice for Earth Day, as well as a treasury of story and illustration ideas for young writers!
2) Riggs, R. (2011). Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books. Genre: Fiction (Fantasy/Mystery) Culture: British/Welsh Award(s): Grade level: Middle School-Adult Summary Both suspense and mystery, this haunting story is about a fictitious home in Wales for "peculiar" children. Peculiar as in one girl levitates all the time, a boy who can temporarily bring the dead to life, and a girl who sees her twin only in reflection, just to name a few! They are at this home to be protected from evil creatures who want to destroy them for their special gifts. It was built during the time of the Holocaust and the book offers much parallel to the persecution of the Jews. Personal Review I love "out there" books and some creepiness, and this book fulfills it all! I love how it parallels history of the Holocaust (the "beasts") can be easily paralleled by the reader to the Nazi storm troopers. An excellent read for middle school on up; I suggest no earlier than 7th grade, due to the emotional maturity required to deal with the bizarre and graphic images here. This would be an incredible book to read along with a class study of the Holocaust, or other mass genocidal events in history. It also reaffirms that it is ok, even necessary to be special in our own way, and that there is no "normal." One of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I am anxiously waiting to get my bookworm hands on the sequel "Hollow City"! 3) Watson, J. W. (1951). Walt Disney's bunny book. New York: Golden Press. Genre: Fiction (Folktale) Culture: American Award(s): none Grade Level: K-3 Summary This adorable book from my childhood (I own the original 1951 print) talks about Grandpa Bunny Bunny and how he teaches all the young bunnies not only to paint eggs- but the leaves, grass, trees, even the little bugs that come out in spring. It is much more than painted eggs that bunnies are responsible for; it is painting all the colors of the seasons! In the end Great Grandpa has to go away and one evening the bunnies discover that this "biggest project" was painting the sunset! It was inspired by the 1934 Walt Disney "Silly Symphonies" cartoon, "Funny Little Bunnies." Find it hereàhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykrETNRvzns
Personal Review This is an absolutely enchanting book for young people, and perfect for Easter or spring studies, and even change itself, such as moving away, and death. Grandpa Bunny Bunny does not return after his final masterpiece. Kids can be left to conclude where he may have gone. I love how gentle the treatment of his departure is, especially ending in a magical sunset. A great book for thinking outside the box for Spring/Easter Stories.
4) Gutierrez, L. and Taken, S. (2013) I Love Myself. Let Me Tell You Why...Funny poems to help increase your child's self-esteem and confidence.(Kindle edition). Retrieved from Amazon.com
Genre: Poetry
Culture: American
Awards: none
Grade level: Any
Summary:
This is a kindle book of poems to increase self-esteem, and they are both funny and inspirational! Clear, colorful language and humorous, yet poignant illustrations follow some of the poems. All the poems talk about some great ways to love yourself and others, such as daring to believe in yourself and dreams; loving you for who you are, how to smile, and a young boy wishing he was old, while the old man wishes he was young.
Personal Review: Once I began reading this little collection of poems, I could not stop. I thought of all the people, young and old, it can help, and what a great tool it is for education! This would be an excellent first day of school reading, perhaps played with some trust games. It is also great for the counselor's office, and to have available to read for any students (and staff!) I highly recommend having this book for our own children and families as well. We all can use a self-esteem boost now and then! I am hoping it comes out in print, but right now, it is only in Kindle.
5) Wisniewski, D., & Salsbery, L. (1996). Golem. New York: Clarion Books. Genre: Fiction (Traditional Folktale) Culture: Jewish/Czech Award(s): 1997 Caldecott Medal Grade Level: 4-7 Summary: Since the beginning of history the Jewish people have been hated, persecuted, walled in like rats, and executed all for having a different faith than Christianity. This all began, with the crucifixion of Christ. Christians blame the Jews for killing Christ. And so it began. This story is retells a famous Jewish folktale and legend about a revered Rabbi Loew, and using Cabala, a mystical practice of the Jewish faith, to create a Golem-a clay man, by a powerful ceremony using Gods name and writing the word "truth" on its forehead. This particular telling is set over 400 years ago in Prague, where the Jews were not allowed to have weapons, were beaten, and forced to live in wall off cities called ghettoes. The book says it best: "In the year 1580, the Jews of Prague were bearing the ignorant fury of others. Enemies had accused them of mixing the blood of Christian children with the flour and water of matzoh, the unleavened Passover bread. This incited angry mobs to great cruelty against the Jews (p 2 Wisniewski)." So the golem is created by the rabbi to serve in the temple by day protect the Jews at night by stopping the spread of the Blood Lie by finding the people who were stealing (yes, stealing) other's children out of their own homes to spread the lie. Finally, after enough of these criminals are taken to the authorities and locked up thanks to the Golem, they realize they have been lied to and begin to come to their senses, forcing the rulers to stop the Jewish persecution. This causes enraged mobs of Jewish enemies to march to the ghetto to incite a riot. Suddenly, the rabbi notices the Golem getting much bigger and when it begins hurting and killing people, he knows he must return him to the clay from where he came. So he erases the first letter of "emet (truth)", so it becomes "met (death)", and the golem disintegrates, and the clay is buried in the the synagogue attic under prayer shawls and books, with the hope that he will never have to return. Personal Review This is an intensely emotional book that teaches the danger of creating something we may not be able to control. The Golem was created for protection but became a killer. How many times have we seen this repeated through history? I think it is a great book about religious tolerance, the dangers of ignorance and not creating something that may get dangerously out of control. This is a great companion book to read when studying WW2 and the holocaust, as well as learning Jewish faith and its magical based art of Cabala. 6) Allsburg, C. (1981). Jumanji. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. Genre: Fantasy Culture: Any Awards: Caldecott Award 1982 Grade Level: 1-4 Summary A bored brother and sister find this game by a tree one day and decide to play despite the warning that the game WILL not end until one player reaches the Golden City. What ensues is a houseful of monkeys, a rhinoceros stampede, a British hunter, a lion, and to top it all off, a typhoon, until one person wins. It's a great thing that everything goes back to the way it was before the game! The siblings decide never to play it again, but leave it right where they found it. Personal Review: Chris van Allsburg is one of my favorite authors, for his out of the box thinking, and endings that always leave the reader questioning what if? Honestly, though, I would have tried to destroy this game rather than leave it out! It is a fun fantasy and adventure story about sibling rivalry and the need for even siblings to get along and work to survive. A great team-building book.
7) Burleigh, R., & Blitt, B. (2011). The adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Genre: Biography Culture: South U.S. Awards: none Grade level: 3-7 Summary: Huck Finn, one of Mark Twain's most memorable characters gives this charming, southern-dialect written autobiography a great deal of Twain's wit and humor. Highlighting the main points and maybe not-so-known facts about Mr. Twain, this book was delightful from start to finish. Personal Review: This is a great book to assign to second or third graders to do their first autobiography on; the illustrations make the book come alive, and the readable language (although in dialect) makes it fun to read, especially out loud! I would read a book like this out loud, dressed like Huck Finn, as a fun introduction to classic children's literature or biography/autobiography books and writing. It would be a great book to have in the class library for writing style and voice as well! 8) Castillo, A., & Guevara, S. (2000). My daughter, my son, the eagle the dove: an Aztec chant. New York: Dutton Books. Genre: Nonfiction/Historical Prose Culture: Aztec Awards: none Grade Level: 7-up Summary: These chants were sung and danced to for coming of age Aztec boys and girls, as well as other major ceremonies, like weddings and their first hunt kill. It is prose in its form, with a similar structure to poetry, and the animal symbolism as well as illustrations brings this ancient celebration to life. Personal Review: I read this to my own children, a son who is 11, and a daughter who is 15, teaching them a little bit about Aztec culture and expectations. You should have seen their faces when I told my son he would likely be going on his first solo hunt back then, and my daughter would be married! It is a great chant to read to your students to go along with studies of the ancient Mexican cultures of both the Mayans and the Aztecs; it really would help students see them as people who loved and played and laughed and cried, not just abstract strangers of history. 9) Cooper, S., and Cober, A.E. (1973). The dark is rising(1st ed.).New York: Atheneum. Genre: Fantasy/Suspense/Sci-Fi Culture: British Awards: Grade level; 7-up
Summary: "When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back, Three from the circle, three from the track; Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone; Five will return, and one go alone (." These words from the story describe our main character, Will's quest to help immortals defend the Light in the mortal world (good), and the dark (evil) that is always trying to take over. On the twelve days of Christmas, right after his eleventh birthday, will is called to another realm with the Immortals to be given his task. He must fin six signs, keep them tightly around him, avoid the dark rider, and learn to control not only fire and other elements, but his own fears, desires, pain, and overall humanity to help them win the ultimate battle of Light over Dark. Personal Review: This is one of the most powerful stories of courage, fear, and good vs. evil I have ever read. This is why I now own the entire sequence, because I want to know the prequel and the rest of the series to see which power wins. So much symbolism exists in this story, such as the rider on the horse, doors that Will goes trough that really aren't there, and calling up and controlling fire, just to name a few. I think middle school and even high school students could really get into this book; perhaps different teams could read each book in the series, have literature circle discussions for each book, then monthly grand conversations involving all the teams to talk about the similarities and differences in the main character (no spoilers, of course!) This could also be adapted to script by older classes into a stage play, perhaps using the existing film as a reference point.
10) Crisp, M., & Papp, R. (2008). Titanicat. Chelsea, MI.: Sleeping Bear Press.
Genre; Historical /Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: none
Grade Level: 1-4
Summary: A thrilled Jim Mulholland is picked to be one of the many cabin boys on the great ship Titanic. He is also put in charge of the cat, who he names 401, because that is his cabin number. He helps the cat, her kittens and the crew as the finish all the final preparations and practice runs for Titanic. Then, the day of embarking, Jim cannot find the ship's lucky cat anywhere; he discovers her offloading her kittens onto the dock. Racing back through the ship, he finds 401 crouched with one more kitten; so he decides to help her get her babies off. But what happens in the end is not what he expects; she also saves his life by keeping him from being on the Titanic when it sails!
Personal Review: I was deeply moved by this true account and have to wonder how many other miracles happened that day that saved lives? Did the cat know something bad was going to happen? Animals have an amazing sense of things; far more sensitive than humans. This would be a fun companion book to read along with this time period in history, as well as perfect for making and answering questions, such as why was the cat taking her kittens off? Why was she still on board with the last kitten? It is just an all around inspiring tale of courage, and how a great disappointment can turn to relief, which is helpful for students to learn.
11) Evans, L., & Evans, L. (2012). Horten's miraculous mechanisms: magic, mystery & a very strange adventure. New York: Sterling Children's Books.
Genre: Mystery/Steam punk
Culture: British
Awards: Long-listed for the Carnegie Medal (2012) and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize (2011)
Grade Level: 3-6
Summary: Stuart Horten is short for his age, and gets made fun of a great deal. It serves as no help that his initials are S/Horten! He has just moved far away from his old friends and home, when he starts fining clues that lead him on an exciting, dangerous, and wondrous adventure to try to find his missing Uncle Tony's workshop! If he can find that, he may find Uncle Tony. That is, if he can survive the annoying triplets following his every move!
Personal Review: I love magic, and have been fascinated with illusionists and magicians since I was about 5. So, this book was a no-brainer for me! Oh, wow, it is absolutely wondrous in the way the mystery unfolds, and it really engaged me the entire time to help answer the clues Stuart was trying to answer I love how the machines are Victorian like and powered by steam, and even still work! I think this book would truly encourage reluctant readers, and just be a delightful one to have in the classroom. One idea for a lesson could be having the students build a "magical" machine of their own inspired by the book and put on a magic show!
12) Gerstein, M., & Tuosto, F. (2003). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, Conn.: Roaring Brook Press.
Genre: Nonfiction
Culture: French and English
Awards: 2004 Caldecott Medal, the winner of the 2004 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Picture Books, and the winner of the 2006 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.
Summary: In 1974, long before the tragedy of 9/11 was seared into our hearts and man, a French acrobat and rope walker named Phillip Petite, without permission, and only a little help from 2 friends in setting up-at night!-walked and danced and even laid down between the two Trade Center Towers. He was somewhat afraid, but so very joyful in the air-he was free.
Personal Review: This book gave me great comfort because it was such a beautiful, innocent, and brave event. When 9/11 rolls around in Social Studies, I know this book would be the perfect one to read to paint hope and joy in what may only be seen as a tragic place by any of us born after 1974. That is the main message in this book: hope.
13) Fleischman, S. (2006). Escape!: the story of the great Houdini. New York: Greenwillow Books. Genre: Biography Culture: American Awards: none Grade Level: 4 and up Summary; This is the fascinating story of Harry Houdini, still seen by many as the greatest magician ever. The author, Sid Fleischman, is a magician himself and gives details about Houdini's life that were surprising, such as he performed in medicine shows, the circus in the freak show tent, and that he really did get out of locks; it was not always an illusion! This book has beautiful prints of original black and white photographs of Houdini and his wife and others. What makes them so special is that the author got them personally from Madame Bess Houdini, his wife! Personal Review: This would be the perfect book for any student interested in learning more about magic, as well as for a biography. The language is straightforward and colorful. This is definitely a fairly quick read, and is structured to look up certain parts of Houdini's life, if, for example, research was done in a team.
14) DiCamillo, Kate, and K. G. Campbell. Flora & Ulysses: the illuminated adventures. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2013. Print. Genre: Fiction/fantasy/coming of age Culture: American Awards: 2014 Newberry Medal Grade Level: 3-7
Summary: Flora is a pre-teen, self-proclaimed (yet wanting to hope) cynic, and Ulysses is her unlikely friend, a squirrel who gets sucked up into the neighbor's Ulysses 5000x Super All Terrain vacuum cleaner; it cleans indoors and out! So, when Flora's unwitting neighbor accidently sucks up the squirrel (hereafter named after his would be killing machine), Ulysses gets CPR by Flora, and lives. He has also gained super powers and can fly and understand human speech now! Together, they fight the perils of Flora's now-divorced mom, who is obsesses with writing drippy and tacky romance novels, and evil donut waitress, and reuniting Flora with her estranged father. This hilarious and heartwarming book shows readers that heroes come in all shapes and sizes and that the most unlikely (and even tragic) events can turn into something wonderful! I always suspected squirrels were super powered the way they torment my dog…. :) Personal Review: With graphic novel elements and illuminations of the story by pictures, students will love this book. It deals with loss and divorce, as well as that difficult age and time when a child is not an adult, but not a child. It is just great fun and adventure to read, and would be a great mentor text for writing fanciful (or true) stories about animal heroes. I might also have my class construct a cardboard model of the super vacuum cleaner with what looks like a squirrel sticking out for a book week door decoration!! 15) Dowd, Siobhan. The London Eye mystery. Oxford: David Fickling Books, 20082007. Print. Genre: Fiction/Mystery Culture: British Awards: 2008 Cybil's Awards for Middle Grade Fiction Grade Level: 4-8 Summary: This charming mystery set in London revolves around a sister and brother's friend going up in the London Eye and NOT returning. Unusual? Yes. Impossible to solve? Not with this sister and brother who normally clash like titans. The brother has Asperger's Disorder which allows him to often see things and think of things in a different way from others. The two work out their differences and team up to find their missing friend, with a surprise twist ending. Personal Review: I chose this book as something to read to my son, who has Asperger's Disorder, to let him know it can be a gift depending on how it is used. We have not finished yet, but I am sure we will. It is an absolutely engaging story from the very beginning, and I highly recommend it for students with special needs, and especially classrooms to hear or read on their own to teach tolerance and that special does not mean cast out. I never knew how huge the London Eye was until I read this book and looked it up! Definitely very hard to go up in its clear pods and disappear! It is a great book for practicing questioning with students, such as where do they think the friend went, and how would they find him? To see the London Eye, which helped me really appreciate this mystery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ydl7Kr61AA
16) L'Engle, M. (1962). A wrinkle in time. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Non-fiction Culture: American Awards: Newbery Medal (1963), Sequoyah Book Award (1965) Grade Level: 4-7 Summary: Meg is a troubled, unpopular teenager with a 5-year old "odd" brother that is selectively mute, so others think he is dumb, when he is actually a genius with psychic powers. Together with Meg's friend Calvin, and three magical friends, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit, they set out to find Meg's missing father, who disappeared while doing work on a tesseract (a wrinkle in time and space, basically-the 4th dimension). It allows them to fold space and time in half, to travel very far to find their father in a matter of minutes! No one believes he has disappeared to another place except Meg's mother, until the three set off to an evil planet named Camezotz, where everyone has to be exactly the same. Meg's father is trapped there, and only the love and bond between her and her brother can set him free. Personal Review: I first read this book when I was nine years old my teacher gave it to me for winning the spelling bee when I was nine. Little did I know the magic it contained, but even better, real knowledge about time and space travel. It is nearly impossible to put down, and seamlessly leads readers through the fifth dimension of theoretical physics without them even knowing. The language is so easy to understand, and all new concepts are explained as the story goes along. I love how it is fantasy, but based in real science. Most of all, it is a story about courage, perseverance, and that love is stronger than any force in the universe, and I think this will appeal to children on a very personal level, especially ones who are different or not popular. It is an excellent book to teach tolerance and respect for individuality, since the greatest evil in the book is a planet where everyone is the same, thinks the same, and even has the same heartbeat! 17) Parish, P., & Siebel, F. (1963). Amelia Bedelia. New York: Harper & Row. Genre: Classic Fiction Culture: American Awards: No: Grade Level: K-2 Summary: This is the first in a long collection of stories about a sweet housemaid who is so obedient; she does EXACTLY as she is told! The only problem is she takes American phrases literally, such as "dress the chicken" and "trim the steak", among many other hilarious yet innocent misunderstandings! Her bosses, Mr. and Mrs. Smith come home to find a whole chicken neatly dressed in lederhosen complete with socks, and a steak with lace on its edges, and a bow on top! Personal Review: I don't think I ever read any of these books until this class; oh, my, I laughed through every page and I know this is why children love these books too! It is such an excellent book to read for ESL and ELL learners who are just beginning to understand our idioms. They can really sympathize with poor Amelia, and not feel so alienated themselves when they misunderstand directions. The series is a gentle reminder that we need to vary our language and word choice based on the person we are speaking to. As an educator, this hysterical book really highlighted just how confusing and contradictory English is, (especially with words that have more than one meaning) and is therefore the hardest language to learn in the world!
18) Osborne, M. P., & Murdocca, S. (2009). A good night for ghosts. New York: Random House. Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure Culture: American Awards: None Grade Level: 1-4 Summary: In their continuing Merlin's quest to find people who bring happiness to the world, Jack and Annie are transported to New Orleans in 1915 to find Louis Armstrong, who is working three jobs as a young boy just to help his family. He loves to play, and has a gift for, the trumpet, but rarely takes time to play for others. Jack and Annie have to convince him to do this so he can become the jazz great that brought so much joy to the world! Personal Review: I love the Magic Tree house series, and plan to own all of them one day. They teach nonfiction content through fun and adventurous stories. I chose this book because I have always wanted to learn more about New Orleans and have a fascination with their supposedly haunted places. The book mentions an old haunted bar, and many more are explained in its companion book "Fact Trackers: Ghosts," which I just HAD to read to go along with this book! I think children and teachers love this series because everyone wants to learn something new, and everyone loves a good adventure story! This would be the perfect kind of book to introduce early elementary students to using books for researching facts. The teacher could assign different topics based on the Magic Tree house Series, and give teams of two to four a few questions to answer. Even first graders could make a classroom book from one of the books The website, magictreehouse.com, has an incredible array of lesson plans, games, and teachers could easily use all of this as a stepping off point to a web quest as well. I remember in sixth grade having to write about the solar system The Magic Tree house series had existed, it would really have helped me do this! Therefore, this series also makes a great mentor text for creative-mixed-with-fact writing. I cannot wait to read more of the books, and I am 42!
Title: The Paint Brush Kid
Author: Clyde Robert Bulla
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Gregory is on summer vacation and is undecided as to how he wants to spend his summer days. He finds himself visiting his uncle Pancho, and listening to his stories of the good ‘ol days. Gregory had chosen to paint in order to pass the time, and after hearing the sad news that his uncle was being forced to move out of his home, Gregory became inspired to paint pictures of his uncles stories in hopes of saving him from having to move out.
Personal Review: The storyline express a lot of self-motivation and the desire to do what it takes, no matter what the stakes may be. I enjoyed this book and the overall compassionate message it portrayed.
Title: Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing
Author: Judi Barrett
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: Brightly colored illustrations demonstrate the various reasons as to why animals should not wear clothes. This gives children a perspective on how we as humans differ from animals of the wild.
Personal Review: I found this book very humorous and visual. It is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone willing to put a smile on a child’s face.
Title: Hiccups for Elephants
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): Pre K-3
Summary: All the animals in the forest try to help the elephant with his hiccups. They try are types of methods to help the elephant.
Personal Review: Everybody gets hiccups its relatable to the students.
Title: A Bug, A Bear and a Boy Go to School
Author: David M. McPahil
Genre: General Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age):K-2
Summary: The three friends a boy bug and bear to school together and do things like paint and ride a wagon.
Personal Review: This book is just for fun. It’s a book that will have students wondering what is going to happen next.
Title: Wake up, Wake up
Author: Brain Wildsmith
Genre: General Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): Pre K -3
Summary: This book begins by explaining how the sun wakes up the rooster, and how the rooster then wakes up the other farm animals in which then creates a chain reaction awaking the entire farm.
Personal Review: I found this book being extremely realistic and intriguing towards children. Being a morning person, I found the storyline very relatable to my life.
Title: In The Heart of The Quake
Author: David Levithan
Genre: Adventure
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Pressure is building underneath the earth. The only people who know about what is about to happen is Adam and his brother.
Personal Review: This book helps students with what they should do in a case like this. Do they tell everyone or keep it to themselves. This book helps with students and life lesson events.
Title: The Magic School Bus on The ocean floor
Author: Joanna Cole
Genre: Adventure
Awards:
Grade level (or age):
Summary: A teacher takes her students on the magic school bus and explores the ocean floor. Students are able to view the fish and more.
Personal Review: I believe the ocean is important for the students to learn about. It is very pretty and his book shows get illustration.
Title: The Earth and I
Author: Frank Asch
Genre: Folk Tale
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: This book explains the relationship between the child and earth itself. Demonstrating the different ways the earth is a reflection on the mood of the child and vice versa.
Personal Review: I found this book very interesting, as is the planet we call home. I feel as if this book is a great way to provide information to younger children about our relationship towards our home planet.
Title: Pinduli
Author: Janell Cannon
Genre: Folk Tale
Grade level (or age):K-2
Summary: The hyena thought she was the prettiest until one day other animals decided to tell her otherwise. This, left the hyena sad and uncomfortable with her imagine.
Personal Review: This helps students with a low self a steam. I shows that there is mean people and never to give up on yourself. Everyone is different.
Title: Stolen by the Sea
Author: Anna Myers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade level (or age): 6-8
Summary: A young girl survives the most hurricane in American history. After her family leaves her she is forced to face the storm alone.
Personal Review: This story is very beneficial due to the fact that a storm can affect myself in the same way. In doing so, applying a perspective of preparation towards any storms to come.
Title: Here Comes the Garbage Barge
Author: Jonah Winter
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: 1987 New York had no place for its tons of garbage. It smelled and the garbage kept building up across the east coast to the Gulf of Mexico.
Personal Review: This is a great way to inform students it is important to recycle to help were we live stay clean and healthy. It is important for people to take care of the environment.
Class Literature Portfolio Jane Hill Brown Dr. Chase Young Read4380 Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Book: All of Me Genre: Beginner Books Citation: Bang, (2009). All of Me, New York: The Blue Sky Press Grade Level: PreK-K Awards: None Summary: This is a child's first book, it's a book about giving thanks. He gives thanks to his oes, hands, nose, head and all that the head can do, eyes, ears, and heart. With each thanks he gives an example of what that part of his body does that he is thankful for. Person Review: I saw this book amazing that it was thanks for ourselves, our ears, nose and so on, instead of toys and material things. It's a good book to read to children to show what is really important to be thankful for. The book also had beautiful illustrations. The illustrations look like parts of the picture were drawn in crayon. Book: Cat and Mouse Genre- Beginner Books, Poetry, Nursery Rhymes Citation: Schoenherr, (2008). Cat and Mouse, Greenville Books and imprint of Harper Collins Publishers Grade Level K-3 Award: Was chosen as one of New York Public Library's 100 titles for ready Summary: This beginners book has very large illustration and incorporates two nursery rhymes, "Hickory Dickory Dock" , Eeny, Meeny, Miney Mo, and "I Love Little Pussy". When it is not written in nursery rhymes it is poetry. The mouse seemed to tease the cat and they were connected with the nursery rhymes and the poetry Personal Review: This book has huge illustrations. The author uses three nursery rhymes to show the cat and mouse's interaction, for example, "Hickory Dickory Dock" shows the mouse running up the grandfather clocks chain and the cat running up the clock after the mouse, the cat is hanging on to the top of the clock by his claws, when the clock struck one, the mouse fell down (the mouse always had an umbrella like the ones you find in cocktails) so he would just float right down safe and sound, while the cat would jump with a bang and chase the mouse into the mouse hole. Each nursery rhyme and poem shows the really nice relationship of the cat and mouse, even though the cat was the one who really exerted himself in the play time. But the ending showed the love the mouse had for his kitty friend by giving him a bowl of milk, the last line is "And kitty will love me because I am good." Book: Baby Bear Sees Blue Genre: Picture Book Citation: Wolff, A. (2012) Baby Bear Sees Blue. New York. Beach Land Books Awards: five Grade Level: PreK-K Summary: As Baby Bear and his mother go through the forest Baby Bear Asks questions. "Who is warming me momma?" "Who is waving to me momma?" Momma Bear answers all Baby Bears questions throughout the book. The book is beautifully illustrated. This book is a great book to teach your children in a simple way. Personal Review: This is a great book to teach children PreK-K because every question Baby Bear asks Momma Bear answers and they are all questions that are important for a young child to be aware of, like, "Who is warming me Momma?' Momma Bear says, "That's the sun" and goes on to specify that the sun is yellow. Another example is "Who is waving to me Momma?" and Momma Bear says, " That is an oak tree." There are about eight or nine different questions that Baby Bear asks. They are things that Baby Bear feels or sees and when teaching small children this is a good way to make them relate to the question. Book: Daisy and the Beastie Genre: Picture Book Citation: Simmons, J. (2000). Daisy and the Beastie. Great Britain Orchard Books Grade Level: PreK-2 Ages 3-7 Awards: a total of 8 Summary: Daisy and her duckling brother visit Grandpa on his farm. Grandpa tells Daisy and Pip a story about a mysterious Beastie, Grandpa falls asleep so Daisy and Pip go looking for Beastie. They go through all the farm animals homes until they finally fine Beastie. Three little kittens. Personal Review: This book has incredible illustrations. It looks as if every page has been oil painted. The story is about two siblings ducks who go looking for Grandpa's mysterious Beastie. it is this great adventure so the child you are reading it to goes on this adventure also. The book takes Daisy and her brother Pip through every animal home all the while teaching the reader what each animal does in the farm, and what sounds the animals make, for example the Cow goes "Moo". The bee goes " Buzz" and pigs go "oink oink". Another great ;picture book for learning. Book: Hot or Cold Simon, S (1972). Let's-Try-It-Out Hot or Cold, New York: McGraw Hill Genre: Juvenile Literature, Juvenile Works Grade Level: 2-5 Summary: Presents simple experiments illustrating the characteristics of hot and cold. Personal Review: Simon goes into detail teaching what clothes to wear for hot and cold, how hot and cold travels through different objects , for example how heat goes through a cooking pot verses a wooden spoon. By reading this book children can find out about different aspects of hot and cold. Like on a really cold day which bench would be more comfortable to sit on a metal bench or a wooden bench. I enjoyed the way Simon presents many very simple experiments and projects for children. For example, the way water freezes and ice melts. As children do these projects they have the opportunity to make discoveries for themselves. Book: The Beginning of the Earth Branley, F.M., (1972) The Beginning of the Earth. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company Genre: Juvenile Literature Grade Level K-3, ages 5-8 Summary: Describes the beginning of the Earth, from the formations of the planets out of dust and gas clouds to formation of continents of Earth. Personal Review: These are fantastic books, after reading this one I research Branley and he has written several books on science in an easy way to understand. The illustrations are very memorizing all while explaining in such a simple way one of the most difficult phenomena's to understand. He makes it interesting because he writes it in a way the reader does not get lost in the complexity of the content. I would recommend these books highly. Book: The Age of Innocence Citation: Wharton, E. (2004) The Age of Innocence, New York. Published by Barnes and Nobel. Genre: Young Adult Fiction Award: 1921 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Grade Level: Summary: Wharton’s The Age of Innocence is romance story staged in the 1800’s when Society separated people by wealth and breed. This story is about a man that is going to marry May a very shy and introverted girl, but has the society level that he is expected to marry. May has a cousin name Ellen who is a countess by marriage but her husband The Count is very cruel and abusive and so Ellen leave Great Britain and file for divorce. Well of course her family tries to convince her not to divorce the Count obviously unaware of how abusive he is. Ellen meet Newland Archer May’s fiancé and there is a n immediate attraction but Ellen refuses to let anything become of this because of her love and respect for her cousin, although Newland feels so attracted to her he wants to speed up his marriage to May but May refuses. Once May realizes the attraction between her cousin and fiancé and decides to go ahead and move up the wedding. The family has also realized the attraction and decides Ellen needs to go back to England. Newland and May do get married but Newland never loves her in the way he loves Ellen. Newland and May have two children a boy Dallas and a girl Mary. While nursing her third child back to health May dies and on her death bed she tells her son Dallas about the sacrifice that his father made for her honor. Dallas and Newland go to England; it has been 26 years since Newland had seen Ellen and he wanted to remember that love so he didn’t go see her. Personal Review: This was a beautiful love story but of course we always want love stories to turn out where the ones in love fall in love and stay in love forever. Not in this case, Newland marries the woman that society expects, has an OK life but always loves May’s cousin Ellen. During the story you see what Newland goes through to be with Ellen but she always refuses to have a one-time affair because of her love for her cousin May. They do end up have one affair, but the family sends her away and May and Newland go on with their life and she goes on and does well with hers. I thought the author did a fantastic job writing this book and I think I will read more of her books. Life is not always the way we expect and this story shows how. Book: Parrot In The Oven Citation: Martinez, V. (1998) Parrot In the Oven, Carmel, California. Harper Collins Children’s Genre: Teen Fiction Awards: National Book Award for Young People of America Grade Level: 9-12 Summary: Martinez tells a story much like his life and the environment that he grew up around. The protagonist is Manny a fourteen year old young man that lives in a dysfunctional home, his father is an out of work alcoholic that says people are like money, there are million dollar people, thousand dollar people and hundred dollar people. He would say that he was a penny. His brother went from one job to another and seemed to be following in his father’s footsteps. His mother was busy cleaning cleaning cleaning thinking that everything would just be fine if everything sparkled. His sister is the only one that brings money into the house but does not have the guidance from her mother about when to have sex and ends up pregnant with Manny helping her during a miscarriage. Manny fired off a shot gun one time and almost killed his little brother. Manny sees no other way to be part of a family except to join a gang. But there was goodness about Manny and the gang idea did not take hold of him for long. That’s not what Manny wants for himself. For his future. Personal Review: Many young adults or teenagers could relate to this book. It’s a young man, Manny who is raised in a dysfunctional home and a very poor neighborhood. His father is an unemployed drunk and his brother not far behind. As you read the pages, even I raised many years ago could relate to a lot of the way Manny felt searching for who he was, for his identity. Without a role model to do this so no other choice in order to feel part of a family was to join a gang, but Manny was a good soul and made the decision not to go down that path. One of the parts of the book I really enjoyed that I have never seen another author do is the foot notes at the bottom of each page explaining the lingo he used for example, splashed meant pulled, full of cement meant not being able to move. And all these different phrases were bolded on the page. Book: all the broken pieces Citation: Burg, A.E. (2009) all the broken pieces, Scholastic Press Genre: Poetry Awards: Best Book for Young Adults Grade Level: 7-12 Summary: This book is written in a novel way of reading but in poetry stanza's. It is about a Vietnamese boy, Matt Pin who went through the Vietnam war. He saw his little two year old sisters legs blown off and saw more than any person should see especially a 10 year old boy. His mother sent him to America because his father was an American soldier. He was adopted by two wonder people who later had another son. His was always worried that his adoptive parents would not want him anymore especially after his little brother was born. His mother and father never gave him any reason to feel that way, but he did. His father taught him how to play baseball and he was an amazing pitcher, but some of the boys were real mean to him one in particular would tell him that it was his fault that his brother had died in the war. And they would call him names like frog face. One of his father's friends who had survived the Viet Nam war started taking Matt to some of the support meetings, Matt got to know some of the veterans. His coach, who is very fond of Matt, got very ill with cancer so one of the Viet Nam vets who was in a wheel chair became his coach. The new coach found a way to bring these two boys together by making them work together on a baseball project. It all ends where Matt and the boy who lost his brother in Viet Nam became pretty good friends and Matt was never afraid of losing his parents again. Personal Review: Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. Of course I was born in 1953 so I am very familiar with the Vietnam war. I have a brother who survived the Vietnam war. Burg does such a fantastic job in writing this story. I could see where any teenager or young adult would surely benefit from reading this book, it explains what the Vietnamese people went through and our soldiers when they came home from the war. Our student's can't imagine what it was like or what any war is like. This book is easy to read and is very detailed in the love and feelings that each character has. I loved reading it and I have recommended it to several people already. Book: A Light in the Attic Citation: Silverstein, S. (1981) A Light in the Attic, New York, NY, HarperCollinsPublishers Genre: Poetry Grade Level: 7-12 Awards: Journals Best Books Award Summary: A Light in the Attic is a book of 168 pages of poems and amazing illustrations. Silverstein writes some of the funniest, silliest poems but yet everyone could relate to every single one of them. Some of them people might think are not appropriate for all children and that is why they are recommend for pre-teen and teenagers and on up. Some of the poems were just unbelievable. It will amaze the reader that an author like Silverstein can come up with so many fantastic and entertaining poems. The only way to explain the book would be to give some examples of the names of the poems, Adventures of a Frisbee, Overdues, Snap!, Crowded tub. And everyone of these poems has a marvelous illustration, some are absolutely hilarious . Personal Review: This book was absolutely a pleasure for me to read. Never ending hilarious illustrations and poetry. It can remind most anyone reading it that one of these poems might had been an experience that he might have experienced. It's not a book that would teach a student anything but to love to read, because it is so funny and the illustrations are so entertaining that you can't put it down so the reader is learning poetry and to read fluently, and of course sometimes you have to read the poem twice to understand it. Book: The Giver Citation: Lowry,L (1993. The Giver. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf Genre: Fantasy Interest Level: 3rd Awards: 1994 Newberry Medal and has sold over 5.3 million copies Summary: Lowry's The Giver is set in a society which is at first presented as a utopian society and gradually appears more and more dystopian. The book is about a boy named Jonas through the age of twelve. The society has eliminated pain and strife by converting to "Sameness" a plan that has also eradicated any emotion he might have. Jonas is selected to be the "Receiver of Memory" this is the person who stores all the past memories before "Sameness". Then Jonas meets The Giver. The Giver is able to break some rules so Jonas becomes very confused. He faces a big decision, does he stay in this safe community or does he run away in pursuit of a life of love, differences, choices and knowledge, but danger also. Personal Preview: A man name Jonas lives in a utopian community with no pain or fear. Whatever he needs to get by, it all is given to him, and not only that, his decisions too are made for him. Then when he turned twelve he was chosen to begin training with The Giver. the overall meaning of Jonas 's training is to expose the truth about the world and utopian community, and in the end Jonas has a huge decision to make. This book is good to use in a whole class reading for inference lessons, because together the class can discuss and analyze what they think the story is going to be about. Book: Peter Pan Citation: Disney, R (2007). Walt Disney's Peter Pan (Disney Peter Pan, Florida: Golden Disney Genre: Fantasy Grade Level: 6th Awards: ? Summary: This is a story of an action that is about to take place "has happened before", and will happen again." Wendy is telling her brothers the story of Peter Pan, while her parents are getting ready to go out for the night. Her father who was angry and said that Wendy was too old to be staying with the boys in the nursery and that she will stay in a room of her own. That night the are visited by Peter Pan himself, who teaches them to fly with the help of his friend Tinker Bell, and takes them to the land of Never Land. Peter Pan is being sought out by the evil Pirate Captain Hook. This book takes the reader on a great adventure of good and evil, at the end the children's parents return home from the party to find Wendy not in her bed, but sleeping a the open window. The parents look out the window and see what looks like a pirates ship. Mr. Darling softens his decision on Wendy not sleeping in the nursery, he recognizes the ship from his own childhood. Personal Review: One night when Wendy was telling her two younger brothers a story of a boy named Peter Pan, out of the blue he appears. Peter Pan takes Wendy and her brothers on a little adventure, and on this adventure they come across some very friendly people, also a mean man This man was a pirate who had taken this girl and the group of kids, Peter follows them to help save her, but end up being taken as well. Great for enhancing young readers, this will not only keep them entertained, but also help them improve their reading by challenging them a little with more words. I must have seen this dozens of times as a young girl, I was born in 1953 so I have read and seen many versions of this fantastic fantasy. Book: Anne Frank, The Diary of A Young Girl Citation: Frank, A (2003). Anne Frank's tales from the secret annex, New York. Bantam Genre: Non- Fiction Awards: Yalsa Best Book for Young Adults and unfortunately Anne Frank never received any awards for her book personally, but the book has won many awards. Grade Level: 6th Summary: The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank details approximately two years of the life a Jewish teenager during World War II. During much of the time period covered by her journal, Anne and her family are in hiding in an attempt to escape Hitler's ant-Jewish laws and genocidal desires. Anne's diary end abruptly in August, of 1944. On that day she and her family are taken into custody by the German and transported to concentration camps. Anne shows her life before and after the hiding. She was a normal, adorable teenager with all the wants and desires that all teenagers have. Personal Review: Anne Frank had the first-hand experience of what life was once like in the early 1940's. Anne and her faily do what they could to hide away from the Nazi's who were taking all Jews to the concentration camps, where they were mistreated horribly. Anne documented what things were like on her journey day by day and how she had to live in fear of ever being caught. The family goes through frightening fights and threats with the other family they were hiding with, and do the best to keep calm. Then one day their fear fell deeper when they meet eye to eye with the enemy. This book is good to use in a high school history class, also a English class. Not only will students learn about past history, but also an English class. Not only will students learn about past history, but also get the feeling of being in that characters shoes and understand the story more in a different perspective. A great book for teenagers. Book: Breaking Night Citation: Murray, L. (2010. Breaking Night. New York: Hyperion Genre: Non-Fiction Grade Level: 9th Awards: Has won many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize. Summary: Breaking Night is a memoir of a young woman who at age fifteen was living on the streets, and who eventually made it into Harvard. Liz Murray lived in the Bronx, was born to loving parents but they were addicted to drugs. Liz was taunted at school for her dirty clothing and lice-infested hair, eventually she had skipped so many classes she was put into a girl's home. At age 15 Liz found herself living on the streets. When Liz's mother dies from AIDS she decides to take control of her own life and go back to high school, often doing her assignments in the hallways and subway stations where she slept. Against all odds Liz graduates at the top of her class and enters Harvard University. Person Review: Growing up with unstable family, fifteen year old Liz Murray soon ends up on the streets with no one to care for her. Liz's parents are both drug addicts who love her, but yet a can't seem to get better for their daughter. After Liz's mother dies from AIDS, she takes matters into her own hands. Liz goes back to high school finishes early, and with all of her hard work she gets into one of the biggest colleges out there, Harvard. Although this is a sad book, it is good for students to read and see that no matter where you come from you can make it somewhere. This book can be used in an English class where you have students write a paper reflecting on their story and how it compares to Liz's story. There a lot of kids in this area that can relate to Liz.
Chase Young
Isadora, R. (2007) The princess and the pea. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
Genre: Traditional Literature (Fiction, Fairy tale, Folktale)
Culture: ¡African-American
Award(s): None
Grade Level (or Ages): K - 3
¨Summary: This simplified retelling of Andersen's classic fairy tale is relocated from Europe to Africa, bright collages evoking the many hues of the continent. For much of the narrative, the prince's search for a "real" princess is downplayed in favor of "rightness," a pleasingly contemporary angle that is lost when the last princess shows up and the tale resumes its traditional track, her sleepless night on the sabotaged mattresses revealing her real-princess sensitivity.
Personal Review: Isadora's technique is reminiscent of Eric Carle's, brightly painted papers showing vigorous brushstrokes cut and arranged against a white background mingling with printed papers in a celebration of color. Where this treatment goes dangerously wrong, however, is in the portrayal of the three rejected princesses who precede the mattress-princess: The first wears a series of rings that elongate her neck; the second is very dark and tattooed all over; the third is darker yet, overweight by Western standards and wears a dead fish on her head. The successful princess sports buoyant dreadlocks and physically adheres to an American norm. By thus exoticizing the rejected princesses, the tale does an enormous disservice to readers and continent alike.
Kriselda Godines’ Literature Portfolio
Fantasy:
- Twilight
APA Format: Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.
Genre: Fantasy
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 9th-12th
Summary: Twilight is about a 17 year old girl named Bella that moves to Forks, Washington with her dad. She falls in love with a boy named Edward Cullen, who just so happens to be a Vampire. We see Bella grow to love his family and the town of Forks. We also see Edward and Bella both risking their lives for their love for each other.
Personal Review: I feel as if Twilight is a great book but that it should not be used in schools because it has controversial issue and some parents may have a problem with this book. I have met plenty of people who do not want their students reading Twilight so I think that this book should stay a book that is read at home with parents’ permission.
- Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone
APA Format:
Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Fantasy
Culture: American
Awards: 1997 National Book Award (UK), A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year 1998, Parenting Book of the Year Award 1998.
Grade Level: 4th-8th
Summary: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is about a young boy named Harry who finds love, friendship, and magic when all he has ever known has hate. His whole life all he has known are his terrible aunt, uncle, and cousin. He has lived in a tiny closet under the stairs and has been secluded from all fun his whole life. We find out Harry is a wizard and will be going to Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here he finds his two best friends and learns about the man who killed his parents, Voldemort. We see the great destiny that has been awaiting Harry and we see that to get there first he must win the battle against the one and only Voldemort.
Personal Review: In my opinion, Harry Potter is a great book that I feel every kid should read. In this book alone children learn about courage and sticking up for yourself when life is throwing you stuff you don’t ever want to encounter. We walk with Harry as he faces his biggest fears; this alone shows children how to show courage. We see love and friendship blossom in this book for a boy who has only experienced hurt and betrayal. This book would be great for kids that are going through a rough time at home because it shows the student that things won’t always be bad and that things will get better, just as it did in the book.
Autobiography/Biographies:
- A Woman for President
APA Format:
Krull, K. (2004). A woman for president: The story of victoria woodhull. New York, NY: Walker Publishing Company, Inc.
Genre: Autobiography/Biographies
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Summary: In this book we see the life of Victoria Woodhull. Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to own a newspaper, to speak before Congress, and to have a seat on the stock exchange. She was also the first woman to run for president before woman were even allowed to vote. This book goes through the hardships of her life and amazingly she has been practically erased from history.
Personal Review: I loved this book because we see a woman who made such an impact in American history that is never talked about. To think about woman or men who have been practically erased from history is frightening. What amazing people are we not recognizing for their amazing patriotic duty to our country? This woman ran for president and made such an impact in her community and I would have never known about her if I had not found this book. This will be a book I will keep in my library to remind my students that there are people out there that are doing amazing things that aren’t always recognized, just like Victoria Woodhull.
- The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
APA Format:
Gerstein, M. (2003). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press.
Genre: Autobiography/Biography
Culture: American
Awards: 2004 Caldecott Medal Winner
Grade Level: PreK-3rd
Summary: The man who walked between the towers is a 2004 Caldecott medal winner. The man who walked between the towers is about a young French aerialist who threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center as they were being completed and spent almost an hour walking, dancing, laying and doing tricks on this rope in 1974 a quarter of a mile in the sky.
Personal Review: This book shows that America is a strong country and can get through almost anything. I think it is so important to display our country as an amazing and wonderful place to our student despite all the wrong that can and does go wrong. After reading this book I would show that through remembering this French aerialist, Philippe Petit, we are also remembering the twin towers that once stood in New York City. We are honoring our country by remembering the people that once interacted with the towers and we still see the beauty of the towers despite their absence.
Comedy and Humor:
- Duck for President
APA Format: Cronin, D. (2004). Duck for president. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Comedy and Humor
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: Kindergarten-2nd
Summary: In this book Duck is a duck that works in a farm. He gets frustrated with the farm and runs for the farmer position and wins, next Duck runs for governor, next Duck runs for president. In each position he sees that it is too much and ends up stressed. In the end of the book he goes back to his roots of being a duck on a farm.
Personal Review: Duck for President is a cute and funny book. I thought it was a great way to intro a lesson about Presidency or Government. This book adds humor to the situation and lightens the mood before going into the actual lesson on government. This book will get the students excited to learn about government. This book also teaches the lesson that despite where you came from that place is always home and you can always go back there for the comfort and safety you need in life.
- Oh the Places You’ll Go
APA Format: Seuss, Dr. (1990). Oh, the places you’ll go! New York, NY: Random House.
Genre: Comedy and Humor
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: K-2nd
Summary: This book goes through the ups and down of moving onto any stage in life that is different from the last one you were in. It talks about how you will be given opportunities and you will choose the right one. It talks about how sometimes you will get hung up and not succeed. It talks about getting up and shaking it off. It says that in succeeding in life you are 98 and ¾ percent sure of succeeding.
Personal Review: This is such an inspiring book for kids of any age. I know I personally got it when I graduated from high school. The Grade Level for this book is K-2nd and in Kindergarten is such a great place to have it. This book helps to shape you as a person and pretty much gives you the lesson of growing up. It is a great book to have in your classroom so that your students are able to read about life and how sometimes it may get bumpy, but they can always get up from it and succeed just fine in life.
Science Fiction:
- Divergent
APA Format: Roth, V. (2011). Divergent. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
Genre: Science Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: Sakura Medal Contest, Favorite book of 2011 in the 2011’s Goodread’s Choice Awards
Grade Level: 8th -12th
Summary: Divergent is about a young woman Beatrice who lives in a society in Chicago that is ruled by five different factions. When you turn 16 you must choose which faction you want to remain in for the rest of your life and must never look back even if it means leaving your family. They use the phrase “Faction before blood.” The five different factions are Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). In this book we see Beatrice go through the struggle of picking which faction she belongs seeing as she doesn’t belong in just one. We see the struggle of her life and experience love, friendship, and loss in this book with her.
Personal Review: I personally loved this book and would recommend my students to read it. You experience love, the meaning of friendship, and the meaning of loss all in this book. I am not sure if it would be a book I would read with my class as a whole but I would encourage my students to read this book and also the book series as leisurely reading in the classroom.
- The Hunger Games
APA Format: Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Science Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: 2008 Cybil Award for Fantasy and Science Fiction
Grade Level: 6th-8th
Summary: The Hunger Games is about the nation of Panem that is surrounded by twelve different districts. Panem isn’t a nice place and keeps the twelve districts from rebelling by putting on the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV for all the districts to watch. One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen from each district is picked to participate in the Hunger Games. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen finds herself as a contender for The Hunger Games and must fight to the finish.
Personal Review: I feel as if the Hunger Games is not a book that should be read in the classroom. I honestly was not okay with the book when I first read it because of what happens in the book. I think that promoting killing is not okay. I would not have this book in my classroom library.
Historical Fiction:
- Dirt on their Skirts
APA Format:
Rappaport, D. (2000). Dirt on their skirts: The story of the young women who won the world championship. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: Kindergarten-2nd
Summary: In this book the little girl in the book named Margaret watches the 1946 championship game of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. We experience her excitement throughout the book.
Personal Review: I loved this book and feel as if it is one I am going to be keeping in my school library. It goes through the emotions of a young girl watching this All-American Girls Professional Baseball game. I love that it is a fiction book based on something that was true. Even though the characters aren’t true the events in the book are. This is so cool to have our students read. Something I would have my students do are to put themselves into the game and imagine how they would be reacting.
- To Kill a Mockingbird
APA Format: Lee, H. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: 1961 Pulitzer Prize Winner
Grade Level: 9th-12th
Summary: In this book we go through the lives of Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and her father, who is an attorney, named Atticus. We see them risk so much to defend an African American man accused wrongly of raping a white woman. We see racism, injustice, love, humor, and warmth all in this one book.
Personal Review: I read this book in high school and I loved being able to go deep into this book with my peers and my teacher. This book talks about some hard subjects like racisms and rape. But I feel it is important that as students we understand the social injustice that happened to African American people and how unfair it was. If I ever teach high school we will be reading this book as a whole classroom.
Poetry:
- America Is…
APA Format: Borden, L. (2002). America is…. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Genre: Poetry
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-4th
Summary: This book touches on the fundamental principles of America as a whole. It expresses how individuals have come together such as through the foundations of races portraying how they interact on a daily basis. The book also reflects how America is represented through history of Americans, and expresses how America is more than just a nation but a representation of humanity.
Personal Review: I really loved this book because it went through what America was for so many people in the book. This book opens up student’s eyes to the many people in America and how America means something different to everyone. America has their own special meaning to each and every person. A cool activity to do with this book would be to have the students go through the book and figure out their own ideas as to what America means to them. I will have this book in my library in my classroom.
- The Night Before Christmas
APA Format: Moore, C. (2001). The night before christmas. HE, UK: Parragon Publishing.
Genre: Poetry
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: Pre-K – 3rd
Summary: This book goes through the events of Christmas Eve with Santa and a father. The father never really encounters Santa but is watching all he does at one house during Christmas Eve.
Personal Review: This book is a classic poem and could be used as a reader’s theater of some sort. You could also use this book as a way to get dressed up and play the parts in the poem. I love this book and highly recommend it for the classroom.
Animal Non-Fiction:
- Insects
APA Format: Richardson, A. (2005). Insects. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone Press.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-2nd
Summary: This book goes through insects and talks about the fact that insects are invertebrates and are cold-blooded. It talks about the bodies of insects and that insects have hard skin. It talks about how insects breathe and what they eat. It also goes through the life cycle of an insect.
Personal Review: I love books like this that can just go into my classroom library. They are straight nonfiction books about insects full with facts about insects. You don’t have to worry about your students getting the wrong impression from books like this because you know everything in them is true.
- Fish
APA Format: Richardson, A. (2005) Fish. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone Press.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-2nd
Summary: This book goes through fish and talks about how fish are vertebrates and are cold blooded. It talks about the bodies of fish and that fish have scales. It talks about how fish can breathe and what fish eat. It also talks about eggs and the fish’s young.
Personal Review: Once again we come across a book full of facts just about fish. I love books full of facts because I know my students will be learning by reading these books and I don’t have to worry about them getting the wrong impression from these books. I will have plenty of nonfiction books in my classroom for my students to read on a daily basis.
General Non-Fiction:
- If you Lived at the Time of the Great San Francisco Earthquake
APA Format:
Levine, E. (1987). If you lived at the time of the great san francisco earthquake. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: General Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Summary: This book is told from a child’s perspective and puts the reader right into the action of the Great San Francisco Earthquake. It goes through many questions like, “How did animals act when the quake hit?, What did San Francisco look like after the earthquake?, Where would you live if your house was destroyed?” It goes through facts and personal accounts of what happened on April 18, 1906 during this earthquake.
Personal Review: This book goes through so many questions and answers any question an interested child would have about earthquakes and what happens during an earthquake. I really liked this book because it did just that. So many students are fascinated in weather and what happens during and those questions are always hard to answer if you have never experienced it. It is book like this that help you show your students the exact answers to their questions.
- When Washington Crossed the Delaware
APA Format:
Cheney, L. (2004). When washington crossed the delaware: A wintertime story for young patriots. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Genre: General Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: Carolyn W. Field Award Honor Book
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Summary: This book goes through the life of George Washington during a period of time in the winter of the Revolutionary War. It tells of the struggle and wins of the Revolutionary War during this winter period.
Personal Review: I loved this book because it took us into the life of our first president George Washington. I loved that on each page there was a quote from George Washington. You can really have your kids get personal with this book and the hardships that George Washington and his army had to face in this period of time in the Revolutionary War.
Jennifer Plummer
Book: How I Became a Pirate
Author: Melinda Long
Genre: Fiction
Grade level: K-3
Summary: This book was about a boy who had always dreamed of being a Pirate, well on this particular day it looked like he was getting his wish. The day started off with Jeremy, his mom and dad and little sister taking a trip to the beach. While is mom and dad were busy setting up the umbrella, Jeremy spots a Pirate ship that looks like it’s coming to the shore. Jeremy tries getting his parents attention but they didn’t look. So the Pirate ship pulls ashore and Jeremy goes on board with the Pirates. Jeremy sails away with the Pirates and is having a wonderful time at first. Pirates don’t brush their teeth or eat all of their spinach and they taught him sea chanteys. He loved it, but when it came time for bed he asked the Pirates to read him a bed time story and they wouldn’t. Jeremy decided the next morning he didn’t like being a Pirate so much and was ready to return home for soccer practice.
Reflection: I really enjoy reading this book to my son. He loves this book. I think this is a great book to share with younger children who have a wild imagination, just like my son seems to have sometimes. I think it is silly and simple for younger students to understand.
Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance
Author: Giles Andreae
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-3
Summary This is about a Giraffe named Gerald who desperately wants to learn how to dance like all the other animals around him. All Gerald felt he was good at was standing tall and munching shoots off tress. When he would try and run around, he buckled at the knees and fell. Every year in Africa where Gerald lives they hold a Jungle Dance, and he was so sad because he was the only animal sitting off to the side not dancing. Gerald finally gets up the courage to try and get out there and dance with the other animals, but as soon as they saw him coming they started making fun of him and got out of the way because he was so clumsy. So Gerald takes off into the jungle and comes upon a cricket. The cricket tells him maybe you just need a different beat and starts making music for Gerald. And then it happens Gerald starts dancing. Then all the other animals come and see, and they all danced together.
Reflection I enjoy reading this book to my son and have taken it to school to read o Kindergarteners when I am subbing. They all laugh and talk about the silly Giraffe. I feel like it gets a good point across not to make fun of each other because some people can’t do things that other people can. The pictures in this book are very bright and colorful and any child would love to look at the pictures and could probably figure out the story.
Book: Walt Disney, Creator of Magical Worlds
Author: Charnan Simon
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 2nd-5th
Summary: This book was about the fascinating man Walt Disney who created all the wonderful Disney movies, characters and parks. He made nature films, realistic films, and based some on his favorite book with live actors and animation. He was born December 5, 1901 and died December 15, 1966. All of his life he wanted to make movies and was very good at drawing characters. He wanted to make those characters come to life and he did just that. His first characters were Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, then later came the rest. He started a couple of small businesses that failed before going into business with his brother Roy. That’s when his career took off and Walt and his brother began making Disney films. Walt was a big dreamer and just kept dreaming of making his empire bigger and he did just that by building Disneyland in California. Then several years later he began the building of Disney World in Florida, however he did not live to see this open.
Reflection: I felt this was a great choice for a biography, and students would love to learn about the famous Walt Disney. I just got back from Disney World, so I really enjoyed learning more about Walt.
Book: Benjamin Franklin: Writer, Inventor, Statesman
Author: Pamela Hill Nettleton
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: K-5
Summary: This book was about the life of Benjamin Franklin and the many wonders he did for people during his lifetime. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston Massachusetts in 1706. He stopped going to school at age 10 to help his father make soap. Since he had to drop out of school, he had to taught himself math, reading and writing. When he was 17 he worked in a printing shop with his brother, but they did not get along very well so this made Benjamin move on to Philadelphia. This book talks about how Benjamin was so curious on what made electricity and how the wind blew. He ends up inventing the lightning rod and the Franklin stove. He became the first postmaster in 1775. Also that year he signed the Declaration of Independence. This book just talks about how Benjamin Franklin got to where he was when he died in 1790 at age 84.
Reflection: This was an interesting read for a younger reader wanting to know a little information on Benjamin Franklin. It had some useful information, but I think if an older student was going to do some kind of paper about it they will need to use more resources. The illustrations were done very well in this book, so a younger child might really like that.
Book: Butterflies
Author: Karen Shapiro
Genre: Informational
Summary: This book Butterflies was as it sounds about the life of butterflies. It talked about the cycles that they go through in order to become a butterfly. First they start out as tiny eggs, then they hatch as caterpillars. Four weeks will go by and they will shed their skin four times and then spin a silky pad. When they turn into butterflies they can’t fly right away. This whole process from caterpillar to butterfly takes eight weeks. It talked about what they eat and drink as a butterfly.
Reflection: I thought this was a fun easy reading book for young readers who are interested in butterflies. The words in it are not very difficult and the pictures in this book are very colorful. Most young children love butterflies and this would be a good book to do a writing activity with.
Book: Manatee Winter
Author: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Genre: Informational
Grade Level: K-4
Summary: Manatee Winter is a book about Manatee’s and how they survive in the cold winter. This book talks about a mother and her calf (that’s what the baby manatees are called) and their migration to warmer waters. The calf swims next to its mother at all times for protection. They come across a few hardships on the way to getter to warmer waters, they encounter sharks, and they come upon a boat that they are unsure about. This book also talked about how the calf’s need to be with their mothers for about a year, and what types of water they can survive in.
Reflection: This book is a good informational text because it has useful facts for writing a paper about Manatees. Some children might need help with some of the words in the text and some may need to know what words mean, but I think it is a great story and children would love to read it.
Book: The Magic School Bus, Lost in the Solar System
Author: Joanna Cole
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade Level: Elementary
Summary: The Magic School Bus, Lost in the Solar System is about Ms. Frizzle and her many learning adventures. In this particular book Ms. Frizzle was going to take her class to the planetarium to learn about the Solar System, but it happened to be closed that day, so they went in their magic school bus to outer space to learn about the planets. They stopped at each planet and Ms. Frizzle would discuss the many wonders of what planet they were on. They got to get out and explore on the moon, the teacher if drifted away from the students. They of course picked her up on the way back in their magic school bus.
Reflection: I have always love the magic school bus books, and what a better way to teach children about the planets than this book. I have read these books to students and have always great reviews from them. This reading is more for students in third and fourth grade because some of the words are big, but the younger students love having it read to them.
Book: Boy and Bot
Author: Amy Dyckman
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade level- Age 2-6
Summary: This book is about a boy and a robot who become the best of friends. One day the robot gets turned off and the boy thinks he is sick. He tries giving him applesauce and reading a story but nothing works. In the end the bot gets reactivated and everybody is happy.
Reflection: This is a great book for younger readers, it lets them use their imagination. My son loved this book when he was younger.
Book: Where the Wild Things Are
Author: Maurice Sendak
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: K-4
Summary: Where the Wild Things are is a wonderful fantasy book for children. It is about a young boy named Max who seems to get into a lot of mischief at his house. One night Max was acting like a wolf so his mom sent him to his room without dinner. That night Max’s room grows into a forest and he sails to a place where there are real wild things. Max wasn’t afraid of them and they were more afraid of him once he tamed them with a magic trick. The wild things make Max their king of all wild things. It was fun for Max at first but he started feeling lonely and missed his mom. So he then decided the next day it was time for him to return home. When he returned to his room, he there found his supper waiting for him.
Reflection:
This is a great book about fantasy, and I am always having to read to my son. I feel like it kind of sends a message to kids to not be so rowdy and follow your parent’s orders when asked to not get into so much mischief. It allows the student mind to wonder into fantasy land, and what kid doesn’t love that. The pictures in this book are very colorful and the wild things are very funny looking.
Book: The Horned Toad Prince
Author: Jackie Mims Hopkins
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: K-4
Summary: I read the book “The Horned Toad Prince”, which was about a girl named Reba Jo who lives on the Southwest prairies. She is out playing in the prairie one day where she is not supposed to be and loses her hat down a well. Along comes the horned toad and she makes a deal with him if he gets her hat out of the well. Reba Jo doesn’t hold up her end of the bargain with the toad, the toad goes to her house and tells her dad about the deal. Her dad says she must comply with the deal she made. The toad ask for a kiss and gets offended when Reba Jo says no, the toad then tells her that he will ask nothing else of her if she just kisses him. So she finally does and he turns into a handsome prince. Reba Jo thought she would get to marry the handsome prince but since she backed out on the deal, the prince just left.
Reelection: So I found this book at the library in my town and thought it might be a cute little story. I was so not impressed with it and would probably not ever read it again. I found it boring and a little too silly to enjoy. However it did have a little meaning to it, by teaching to not back out on deals you make with people especially when they have helped you out.
Book: The Ugly Duckling
Author: Hans Christian Anderson
Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade Level: k-4
Summary: The Ugly Duckling was as it sounds about a duck who was very ugly. It started out with its mother waiting not so patiently for her eggs to hatch and then finally one day three of the four eggs hatched. She wasn’t sure if the forth egg would hatch and another duck told her it was a turkey egg. Finally the egg hatches and out comes a very ugly duckling. The mom duck took all the baby ducks to the pond and the ugly duckling was a great swimmer. Everybody in the barnyard thought he was so ugly and made fun of him all the time. He decided to run away to see if he could be happy somewhere else. He ends up go through some hard times such as a very hard winter. In the end the story turn out just like it should, The Ugly Duckling becomes a beautiful swan.
Reflection: I have always love this book and young children love to read it as well. Children love to hear about the happy ending of the story. It reminds me of a princess story, how everybody lives happily ever after. Children would love the pictures in this book, they are very colorful.
Book: Little Red Riding Hood
Author: Jacob Grimm
Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade Level: K-3
Summary: Little Red Riding Hood is a story about a girl who is walking through the woods to take food to her sick grandmother. She comes upon a big bad wolf and he wants to eat her, but he doesn’t want to do it where people can see him. For some reason Little Red Riding Hood tells the wolf where she is going, and he suggest that she pick some flowers for her grandmother. Little Red Riding Hood does just that, and the wolf beats her to her grandmother’s house and eats her whole. When Little Red Riding Hood gets there the wolf is dressed like her granny. She says my those are some big hands you have, and my those are some big teeth you have. Well the wolf eats her whole. Luckily they are saved by a hunter and they fill the wolfs body with stones so he can’t get up and he dies.
Reflection: This story I feel like has good and bad points and whether it is appropriate reading for children. It has been told and retold to students for many years now. I think the good message it sends to young readers is don’t talk to strangers. The scary and bad point that may offend children is the wolf eating people.
Book: Wonders of America
Author: Marion Dane Bauer
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: This book was about The Statue of Liberty. It talked about how The Statue of Liberty was built. It was originally built in France then taken apart and shipped to New York and put back together. It was created by a French sculptor named Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. It was given to the United States from France to honor the friendship between the two countries. IT said that American schoolchildren gave their nickels and dimes to make a place for Lady Liberty to stand. It talked about how the statue is made from sheets of copper wrapped around a steel structure. When the statue was unveiled thousands of people surrounded to watch and cheer.
Reflection: This was a very easy read for younger readers that are just beginning to learn how to read. I think it is a good read for children learning to read because they are learning about something important. This would be a good book for students to do writers workshop with.
Book: Great White Shark: Ruler of the Sea
Author: Kathleen Weidner Zoechfeld
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level: K-4
Summary: This book is about sharks, and the many ways that they are ruler of the seas. It talks about how they move around the ocean in search for food. In this book it is talking about a mom shark having a baby and from the moment they are born the great white mother shark do not stay to feed their young. They must learn to scavenge on their own.
Reflection: This is a book that would be good for a writing center topic. It is not very hard to read and has some really great information about sharks. This book is great for readers that love to read about sharks. My son loves to read this book, I guess because it shows blood in it.
Book: Hansel and Gretel
Author: Rika Lesser
Genre: Fairy Tale
Grade Level: K-3
Summary: Hansel and Gretel is a Fairy Tale book, written by Rika Lesser. This book is about a family who does not have any food, and the parents don’t know how to feed themselves and their two children. One day the family is down to one loaf of bread, and the mother decides they need to take Hansel and Gretel into the forest and leave them there. Hansel and Gretel hear their mother talking about this so Hansel gets up and gets little white pebbles from the yard. So morning comes and off to the forest their parents take them. They build a fire for them and when the children are sleeping the parents leave them. On the way to the forest Hansel left a trail of white pebbles so they could get back home. So again the mother says we must take them to the forest, expect this time the mother locks the door so Hansel cannot get any more pebbles. So this time the children were not able to find their way back home. The children wake up and stumble onto a house that is made of food and began eating. Then comes a little old lady who feeds them a fine dinner and sends them to bed. Well the little old lady was a witch who wanted to eat Hansel. Gretel pushes the little old witch into the oven and the children head home. Four weeks had gone by and when they got home, they found their father and he said their mother had died. They lived happily ever after.
Reflection: I know this is a very popular book, but it has not ever been one of my favorites. I feel like it is very sad and depressing to a reader, especially a child. I know if I had read this book at an early age, I would have felt scared.
Book: Jack and the Beanstalk
Author: Steven Kellogg
Genre: Fairy Tale
Grade Level: K-3
Summary: Jack in the Beanstalk is about a boy and his mother who have no money and nothing to eat. They have a cow, and they sell her milk to the people in town for money. Well one day the cow wouldn’t milk, so Jacks mother tells him to take her to town and sell her. Jack comes across a man who says he will give him magic beans for the cow. So Jack makes the trade, and when he went home his mother sent him to bed with no food and threw the beans out the window. That night the beans grew into a tall tree and Jack decides to climb up the tree. Jack makes it to the top and there is the ogres wife and she tells him to be quiet or her husband will eat him up. When the ogre takes a nap, Jack takes the bag of gold and goes back to his mom with it. After that gold is spent Jack goes back up the beanstalk and takes a golden hen from the ogre. In the end Jack goes for the golden harp and falls down the beanstalk and cuts it with an axe. From then on out Jack and his mother began very rich and never had to worry about anything again.
Reflection: I like this story, it is a fun fairy tale for younger readers. I think this book teaches children appropriate moral lessons and inappropriate lessons. An appropriate moral lesson taught from this book is that not to be greedy and be pleased with what you have. The inappropriate moral lesson being taught is that if you do not think before your actions you will be rewarded and that stealing is alright. I would defiantly read this to my students and my son.
Book: Go, Dog. Go?
Author: P.D. Eastman
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level: Pre K-2
Summary: This book is about a dogs, and more dogs. It talks about different color dogs and how they drive cars and ride in blimps.
Reflection: This is a great book to get kids introduced into rhyming.
Book: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Seuss
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level: PreK-2
Summary: This book is about Sam I Am trying to get somebody to eat green eggs and ham, he wants him to try them in many places and he keeps telling Sam I Am that he will not like them. Finally the person gets tired of listening to Sam I Am and decides to eat the green eggs and ham and ends up liking them.
Reflection: This is another great rhyming book for students to begin reading. Young children love Dr. Seuss books.
Hannah Towle
Miss Nelson is Missing
Title: Marshall, J (1977) Miss Nelson is Missing. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Grade Level (or Ages): K-3
Summary: This book follows the actions of a class as their teacher Miss Nelson has gone missing. It begins when the class is misbehaving. It follows the class as they get a substitute names Miss Viola Swamp. Miss Viola Swamp whips the kids into shape. The students begin to miss Miss Nelson. The students go search for Miss Nelson by getting a detective’s help. He isn’t much help though, so the students decide to stop by her house. They go through different scenarios of what could have happened to Miss Nelson. Just when the students became discouraged, Miss Nelson comes back to class. The students are so happy to have Miss Nelson back. But, Miss Nelson had a secret. Miss Viola Swamp’s clothes were hung in her closet at home.
Personal Review: I love this book. I think that it is a great way to start a school year off. When reading it to a class, you are able to use great voices for both Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp. I had a teacher read this to my class in elementary school. Anytime we were bad, Miss Viola Swamp came out in the classroom during the year. I think it is an easy way to students to understand the difference between right and wrong in a classroom.
Dinosaurs Love Underpants
Title: Freedman, C (2010) Dinosaurs Love Underpants. United States: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Grade Level (or Ages): K-3
Summary: How were all the dinosaurs wiped out? This book will tell you. This book gives a detailed and humorous description of how underpants played a part in the extinction on dinosaurs. First, cavemen needed something to cover them up. They came up with underpants. The dinosaurs then got into fights about wearing the underpants. These fights caused the extinction of dinosaurs.
Personal Review: I think that this book is a great segway into teaching about the extinction of dinosaurs. It can maybe spark a child’s interest in how dinosaurs were wiped out. Although it maybe a humorous fiction tale of the extinction of dinosaurs, it would be a great way to possibly interest more students in the subject. The rhyming also makes this an easier read for children.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Title: Willems, M (2003) Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. United States: Hyperion Books for Children
Genre: Picture Book
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Grade Level (or Ages): 2-6 years
Summary: This book is another interactive picture book. This book take students through a bus driver leaving them in charge of not letting the pigeon drive the bus. The pigeon begs and begs and even tries to bribe the students to let him drive the bus. The students have to decide if they will let him or not as he continues to beg and beg.
Personal Review: This book is also very good to teach right and wrong. The students will be able to relate to the pigeon begging to drive the bus. I like that it is interactive. The pigeon asks the students questions. And their answers could greatly affect the outcome of the bus.
The Tickle Tree
Title: Strathie, C (2012) The Tickle Tree. Parragon Books
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level (or Ages): 2-6 years
Summary: This book asks questions while telling a story. It asks questions that build imagination. It asks where if the reader has been to a certain place. The reader ends up realizing he/she can go anywhere in their dreams.
Personal Review: This book helps build imagination. The illustrations are astounding in this book. A student could draw and write about a place he or she would like to go in their dreams.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type
Title: Cronin, D (2000) Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type. New York. Simon & Schuster
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Grade Level (or Ages): 2-8 years
Summary: This book follows the story of cows that write Farmer Brown a note on a typewriter. They want electric blankets. The farmer will not give them any so they then involve the chickens. The cows finally come to an agreement with Farmer Brown that they will give the typewriter back if they get electric blankets. Farmer Brown agrees. The cows send the typewriter back with the duck who then asks for a diving board for the boring pond.
Personal Review: This book is good for fluency. It is a fun and easy read. Students can also write a story about an animal doing something outrageous on a farm or even at school.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Title: Andreae, G (2012) Giraffes Can’t Dance. Cartwheel Books.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-3
Summary: Gerald the giraffe wants to dance but he thinks he is too clumsy to do so. When it comes time for the Jungle Dance in Africa, Gerald decides he is going to dance. When he gets their, he sees all the other animals dancing spectacularly. When is comes time for him to dance, all the other animals start to laugh at him. This discourages Gerald. A little cricket encourages Gerald to dance. He does and he is amazing at it. All the animals realized that they were wrong in making fun of Gerald.
Personal Review: This book can be used many ways. It can show a student the different kind of animals in Africa. It can teach them how to be nice and encourage other. It can teach the students not to give up and to believe in themselves. It can also be used for fluency due to rhyming.
Are you a Butterfly?
Title: Allen, J (2000) Are you a Butterfly?. Boston, Massachusetts. Kingfisher Publucations.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level (or Ages): K-3
Summary: This book travels along with a caterpillar as it turns into a butterfly. But in this book, it asks the reader if the student is a butterfly. This book “talks” to the reader like it is a butterfly. It then has a picture to describe what the parents of a butterfly would look like. The book then describes what a caterpillar looks like physically as well as its eating habits. It goes through the stages of becoming a butterfly very thoroughly.
Personal Review: This book would be good to start off a unit on butterflies. The pictures help make this book. They are very visual and there are many of them. Students could even draw the stages out the way they see them. It could be used with actual caterpillars in the classroom.
All The Families
Title: Brown, M (2013) All The Families. Parragon.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-3
Summary: This book shows that everyone has a family. It starts off with a family of bunnies then proceeds to a family of dogs. After that, it compares an elephant family to the reader’s family. It then talks about what eat family eats and how each family sleeps, always comparing it to the reader’s family.
Personal Review: This book has wonderful illustrations. I also like how it compares the animal families to human families. This book could be used to teach about science or even history. It also has counting involved with each family and the number of babies in each.
Green Eggs and Ham
Title: Seuss, Dr (1960) Green Eggs and Ham. United States. Random House Children’s Books.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-4
Summary: This book follows Sam-I-Am as he tries to convince an innocent bystander to try green eggs and ham. He tries to get him to try them in every place possible. When Sam-I-Am finally convinces the innocent bystander to try them, he realizes he does like them. He even decides to eat them in every place that Sam-I-Am suggested.
Personal Review: This book is great for memory. You can read it to students over and over and have them tell you what comes next. It is also good due to the rhythm of the words and rhyming.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Title: Seuss, Dr (1990) Oh, the Place You’ll Go. New York. Random House Children’s Books.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-4
Summary: This book is considered a great graduation speech. This book gives a play-by-play description of the things the reader may go through in life and how it will all be okay if they just follow their hearts.
Personal Review: I think that this book is a good book to both start the year off with and end the year off with. The students can make predictions at the beginning of the year as to what will happen. At the end of the year, they can predict “all the places they will go”.
The Big Fat Cow that goes KaPow
Title: Griffths, A (2008) The Big Fat Cow that goes Kapow. New York. Backyard Stories.
Genre: Poem Book
Grade Level (or Ages): 1-2
Summary: This book is a book of poems. In this book of silly poems, Griffths describes in great detail and great illustrations by Terry Denton what happens to each character in each poem.
Personal Review: I think poem books are great for imagination. This poem book would be great for the students to illustrate their own picture to. It may also inspire them to write their own silly poem. These poems are easy to read and will help with fluency.
Smelly Feet Sandwich and other Silly Poems
Title: Nolan, A (2008) Smelly Feet Sandwich and other Silly Poems. New York. Backyard Stories.
Genre: Poem Book
Grade Level (or Ages): K-5
Summary: This book is a book of poems. In this book of silly poems about mostly things that stink or that are not pretty.
Personal Review: I again think poem books are great for imagination. This poem book would be great for the students to illustrate their own picture to. It may also inspire them to write their own silly poem. These poems are easy to read and will help with fluency. The children may even be able to relate to most of these poems.
Spot the Dot
Title: Carter, David A. (2013) Spot the Dot. Cartwheel.
Genre: Interactive Picture Book
Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-K
Summary: This book takes the reader through a series of instructions to spot the dot. Each page is interactive. The reader has to spot a certain color dot by lifting windows, using pull tabs, and spinning color wheels. Each page simply state “Spot the _ dot.” The page is the color of the dot the reader is supposed to find.
Personal Review: I think this book is a good choice because it keeps the reader engaged. It also helps the reader learn to follow directions. The level of this book also helps build fluency.
Press Here
Title: Tullet, Herve (2011) Press Here. Chronicle Books.
Genre: Interactive Picture Book
Grade Level (or Ages): 2 years old and up
Summary: This book is an interactive picture book that has the reader follow instructions on every page. Every page has the reader perform an action to either multiply the dots or move the dots
Personal Review: This book is also good to teach following directions. I think that you could also come up with an activity for the students to make their own follow the directions book. Although the book is for the ages of 2 years old and up, I think that the reading level is a second or third grade.
I Am Abraham Lincoln
Title: Meltzer, Brad (2014) I Am Abraham Lincoln. Dial Publishing.
Genre: Biography
Grade Level (or Ages): 3-8
Summary: This book is a biography of Abraham Lincoln. It begins when he was a young boy and continues to the Emancipation Proclamation. This book has speech bubbles that add to the story.
Personal Review: The illustrations that are what drew me to this book. The way that it is illustrated will grab a student’s attention immediately. This book is written in first person and in very simple terms. It is easy for a reader to understand. The speech bubbles also add to the story and help with the reader’s understanding.
Who Was Walt Disney?
Title: Stewart, Whitney (2009) Who Was Walk Disney. Grosset & Dunlap.
Genre: Biography
Grade Level (or Ages): 8-12
Summary: This chapter book tells of the life of Walt Disney. It tells of how his childhood influenced Walt Disneyworld and Disneyland.
Personal Review: I liked that this was a chapter book. Although the chapters are not that long, I think that this would be a great book for a student to transition to chapter books. This book also has some illustrations, which I liked. They are simple and in black and white. They do not take the focus off the story, the enhance it.
It’s my turn
Title: Bedford, David (2000) It’s my turn. Tiger Tales.
Genre: Concept Book
Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-2
Summary: This book follows Oscar and Tilly as they play for a day on the playground. At first, Tilly does not want to give up his turn to let Oscar play on the slide. It continues on to the jungle gym and the merry-go-round. Then, it flipped. Oscar then began to tell Tilly that it was not his turn to play on all the things on the playground. The book ends with both Tilly and Oscar realizing that they need to share.
Personal Review: I think that this is a good book to start the year off with a younger group of kids. A teacher can ask a student what each character could have done instead of saying “no”. A teacher can also refer back to this book when the students need to be reminded to share.
This Little Piggy’s Book of Manners
Title: Allen, Kathryn Madeline (2003). This Little Piggy’s Book of Manners. Henry Holt and Company.
Genre: Concept Book
Grade Level (or Ages): PreK-1
Summary: This book states many different manners. The first page is the correct manner, like chewing with your mouth closed. There are characters that provide an example of how the manner should be performed correctly. The following page has an example of characters that are not performing the task correctly.
Personal Review: I like that this book was a play on the rhyme “This little piggy went to market”. I think that rhyme is something almost every student has heard. When this book is read to the student, or the student reads it, they can actually use the rhyme to help them remember the manners. I also think that this would make a very good reader’s theater.
HALEY SATTERWHITE
1. Silly Milly
Lewison, Wendy Cheyette. Silly Milly. Cartwheel Books, 2010. Print.
Beginning Reader, grades K-2
Riddles, Poetry and Rhymes
Silly Milly is a cute rhyming book for students grades K-2. It is very catchy and can entertain just about any reader. Also, it has a unique riddle to it that leaves the reader with an “Oh! It all makes sense now!” moment at the end. This is one of my favorite books within my bag and I think my student will really enjoy it.
I think my young reader will really like this book because its cute and light hearted. Its an easy read and has lots of rhyming! The moment at the end really brings it all together which I think is great for the readers to have to continually think throughout the book!
2. Ill Tell you a Story Ill Sing you a Song
Allison, C. (1991). I’ll Tell You A Story, I’ll Sing You A Song: A Parent’s Guide to the Fairy Tales, Fables, and Rhymes of Childhood. New York: Dell Publishing.
All grade levels
Stories, Poems, Riddles, Etc.
This book is special because it incorporates different stories all into one book. There are many stories to choose from but they all are different and can be used for different lessons such as poetry, rhyming and vocabulary!
This is one of my favorites in my bag because I will be using it in every lesson. It contains all the fairy tales; nursery rhymes and riddles that I learned as a kid but never seem to be talked about these days anymore.
3. The Cat in the Hat Knows A lot about that
Rabe, Tish. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot about That- I love the Nightlife. Random House Digital Inc., 2010. Print.
Beginning Reader, P and up
Juvenille Fiction
Based on an episode of the new PBS kids program, this book is like any other Cat in the Hat book. It tells a story about our loveable Cat who takes his two friends into the forest to find his favorite hat.
This being your not so typical cat in the hat I think that the readers will find it to be interesting and fun to read. I found that reading myself that I really enjoyed how it pushed me to have flow in my reading because it was more challenging! This book helps students explore the nightlife within a forest. It is very interesting because it can introduce new and exciting animals that children do not get the chance to see!
4. A Pair of Socks
Murphy, Stuart J. A Pair of Socks. HaperCollins, 1996. Print.
Beginning Readers, Grade level K-2
Juvenile Literature
This book about matching talks about a lonely sock searching throughout the house for it’s mate. Children will be able to match colors and designs throughout the book and may even start helping with the laundry in their own home.
This book is great for the younger readers because it shows the importance of patterns. It makes reading come to life with the shapes and color and patterns! It concentrates on matching throughout the book so focus and recognition is key but it keeps the reader interested the whole time!
5. I can do anything that’s everything all on my own
Child, Lauren. I can anything that's everything all on my own. Grosset and Dunlap, 2008. Print.
Beginning Reader. P and up
Character Books
This book is from a series of a young boy and his little sister. It can easily relate to students with siblings and they see in Charlie and Lola the same things as their siblings! In this book Lola believes she can do everything on her own, until her brother shows her that sometimes you have to have help from another person to enjoy some things.
This book is a great read of children of almost all ages because of the lesson it teaches within it! I think that the young readers with siblings can really relate to the story and the readers without can also learn from it! This book opens up new characters to the kids and shows a relatable figure to help them read smoothly.
6. I am not sleepy and will not go to bed
Child, Lauren. I am NOT Sleepy and I will NOT Go to Bed. CandleWick , 2005. Print.
Beginning Reader, Age level 3 and up
Character Books
This book talks about how Lola stays up wriggling and bouncing and will not go to sleep at night. Charlie needs to convince her it is time for bed! This classic children’s book relates to any student with siblings or any student that has a hard time obeying bed time!
Another book from the Charlie and Lola series that will always entertain young readers! I’ve found that the books are very relatable to young students and always have a great message within them! I like how they keep the reader engaged with the lighthearted humor and fun pictures.
7. Are you a bee?
Allen, Judy. Are you a Bee?. Kingfisher, 2004. Print.
Grade level K-3
Science and Nature
Are you Bee? Is a nonfiction book that can interest a student who enjoys insects, or maybe even a student who fears bees can begin to understand and appreciate them a little bit. It talks about how baby bees live in a cell and rely on others to bring them food; it explains how the queen lays the eggs that become more baby bees.
This is one of the more challenging books in my bag because of the vocabulary used is inclusive to people who understand bees. If the young rreader is unable to use context clues to figure out the meaning of the words then it will be very difficult. Although its great because it tells all the different parts of the bee and what each part is used for. It is also a good book to discover new vocabulary words for!
8. Glow in the Dark Animals
Hirschmann, K. (2000). Glow-in-the-Dark Animals. United States of America: Troll Communications.
Second grade through fourth grade
Science and Nature
This book introduces children to new animals. These animals are able to generate their own light, including fish, worms, squids, fireflies and other animals.
I found this to be one of the most well liked books in my book bag by the people I borrowed books from because it really challenges the child to look for context clues to figure out the larger words in the text. As well as teaching the child that there are different types of books. I think it’s a great book to teach kids about something more real and could really spark an interest in science as well!
9. Kick, Pass and Run
Kessler, Leonard. Kick, Pass and Run. HarperCollins, 1996. Print.
Grade level K-2 (2.1)
Sports
This book is about a small boy who learns how to play football with his dad. It becomes his favorite sport and he continues to love it as he grows up!
Kick, Pass and Run is for the sports fanatics (girl or boy)! Especially since it’s football season and all children are forced to watch Sunday or Saturday night football every weekend by the male figures within their home this book about football would be a great way for children to begin their education about America’s favorite sport!
10. Miss Nelson has a Field Day
Allard, Harry, and James Marshall. Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. Print.
Pre K- 3rd
Sports
In this sequel to "Miss Nelson Is Missing," the football team and especially the football coach at Horace B. Smedley School are despondent. The big game is coming and they haven't a chance of winning. Miss Nelson talks Coach Armstrong into taking a much needed rest and Miss Viola Swamp appears to whip the team into shape.
This book will definitely be featured in all of my future classrooms because every second grader loves field day and can relate well to it! I really enjoyed this book and the story was written very well! I think that many students will enjoy it as well.
11. Baseball Saved Us
Mochizuki, Ken. Baseball Saved Us. Lee and Low Books, 1995. Print.
Grade level 3-5
History
Baseball Saved Us takes readers back to WWII when a Japanese/American character “Shorty” and his father create a makeshift baseball game within an internment camp.
This book introduces history, culture, and dealing with emotional battles which makes it a wonderful book for young readers. Although it is mostly fiction, it has a nonfiction setting that will interest readers. I love this book because it is more realistic than the other in my bag it has a real feeling and emotion set into it which draws readers in!
12. A Young Baseball Hero
Sabin, L. (1992). Roberto Clemente: Young Baseball Hero. United States of America: Troll Associates.
Grade Level - 2-4
History
This book is a biography about a young baseball player in history who was not given anything as a child and had to work hard for what he had. Coming from Puerto Rico he played baseball in leagues as a teen and worked his way up into the major leagues. He was entered into the Hall of Fame shortly after his death.
I think many children will find this book relatable because it’s written in bio form and the boy plays baseball. The theme of overcoming adversity with hard work sets a good example for what I want to set as a tone for my classroom!
13. I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato
Child, Lauren. I will Never NOT Ever Eat a Tomato. CandleWick , 2005. Print.
Beginning Reader, Age level 4 and up
Children’s Literature
Like many children, Lola refuses to eats her fruits and veggies! She claims that many of those are meant for animals but not her. Charlie comes up with a plan to make all those foods sound yummy and delicious to Lola. In the end, will she eat a tomato?
I really like this book for boys and girls because it shows the importance of eating veggies. Also I think my young reader will like that the characters are relatable! As well as being part of a TV show that they can follow along with after reading the book! I also think that the words are not too strenuous for a younger child but storyline keeps it challenging for an older reader.
14. Stellaluna
Cannon, J. (1993). Stellaluna. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Grade Level – Up to 5th
Children’s Literature
In this book a baby bat gets lost and raised by a momma bird only if she acts like a bird. Stellaluna agrees and tries to act like a bird and fit in, although one day she runs into her real mom and she teaches her how to be a bat again. Stellaluna tries to teach the birds how to be a bat but it doesn’t work out but they remain good friends despite their differences.
I think this book is great for students to relate to! It shows that all kids are different but that no one is better than another and the differences make us who we are but that they can still be friends! Children need to have lessons like this in their books. Children are very impressionable and to read books like this is good for them.
15. Dolphins and Sharks
Osborne, Mary Pope, and Natalie Pope Boyce. Dolphins and Sharks. Random House Children's Books, 2003. Print.
Primary Reader, Age level 7-10
Nonfiction
Dolphins and Sharks answer many questions about exactly what is says on the cover, dolphins and sharks! It is also a good book for comparison between the two marine animals. It also provides information for doing additional research, which is a great way to instill a passion with students.
This is one of my only chapter books in my bag and I liked this particular one because it comes from a great series which the child could eventually start reading more with the interest! Also this book makes the child feel as though they are older and can handle chapter books which boosts self confidence in reading making it more desirable.
16. Earth
Berger, M. (2004). Earth. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Grade Level – K-2
Nonfiction
This book is about the Earth and its systems. The book describes different stories of happening in nature on the planet and how they come about.
I think that the children will like this book because it has lots of pictures taken from space and has an interesting science view on the earth.
17. Bunnicula
Howe, James, Deborah Howe, and Mondadori,. Bunnicula. Milano: Mondadori, 1989. Print.
Grade level 3-5
Fiction
When the Monroe family brings home a small black-and-white bunny they find in the movie theater after seeing Dracula, Chester the cat and Harold the dog are instantly suspicious. After all the vegetables in the Monroe kitchen start turning white, Chester and Harold are certain that Bunnicula is a vegetarian vampire.
This is one of my personal favorites in my bag because it really attaches the reader by speaking from the dogs point of view. I also really like how the book makes connections between the rabbits actions to the supernatural which will really engage the reader! This is also the first of a series that children will love!
18. The Celery Stalks at Midnight
Howe, James, Deborah Howe, and Mondadori,. The Celery Stalks at Midnight. Milano: Mondadori, 1983. Print.
Grade Level- 3-7th
Fiction
Bunnicula is missing! Which of course has Chester convinced all the world's vegetables are in danger of being drained of their life's juices and turned into zombies. Soon he has Harold and Howie running around sticking toothpicks through hearts of lettuce and any other veggie in sight. Of course, Chester has been known to be wrong before...but you can never be too careful when there's a vampire bunny at large.
This series continues to get better with the third book in the Bunnicula series. My kids have loved reading the series because it involves the supernatural and animals. The third book has my little readers hooked on its clever humor and easy to read text. This has been a great book to have and I would recommend it to anyone!
Danielle Garza
Read 4380
April 16, 2014
Literature Portfolio
Title: Osborne, Mary P. (2008) Pompeii: Lost and Found
Genre: Informational
Grade Level: 3-5 Grade
Summary: This book talks about the day the city of Pompeii was buried under the fire and ashes from the eruption of Mount Vesuvias. It describes the daily life of Pompeii, and how the people of the city lived. The city was not founded until 1,500 years after the eruption of the Volcano when archeologists found several wall paintings and slabs of marble. It was not until 1763 that a piece of evidence revealed a fact that it was the city of Pompeii that was lost. After many more years, more evidence of how the people of the city looked like was revealed. They were able to find hardened ash that molded the bodies, and by pouring plaster into these hardened ashes, they were able to make statues of the families holding each other or safety. You could actually see the fear and pain in their faces through these statues.
Personal Review: I actually really like this book because it gives information on some very important history that I myself didn’t even know about. I like the fact that it briefly tells the story of the day Pompeii was destroyed, but also gave facts on how archeologists founded so many interesting discoveries that led them to know exactly how people of Pompeii lived, what they ate, how they dressed, and whether they were a slave or craftsman.
Title: Osborne, Mary P. (2006) Ancient Rome and Pompeii (Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #14)
Genre: Informational (series)
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: This small informational book gives simple facts about Ancient Rome and Pompeii. Jack and Annie have so many questions on Rome and Pompeii. Within this book they are able to find a few facts, but also how to find more answers to their questions by doing research. They give many ways on how to search for certain books, how to not copy straight from the book, how to take notes, how to study the illustrations. I think it’s a great book to get young students a start on how to do research on any history topics they may be interested in.
Personal Review: I think it’s a great book to get young students a start on how to do research on any history topics they may be interested in. Many young students don’t know too much about ancient history, so I think this is great book to introduce when teaching the topic of Ancient Rome.
Title: Crisp, Dan (2012) I’m Not Scared!
Genre: General Fiction
Grade Level: 12 yrs. and Under
Summary:
This book is about a brave cat that is not afraid of any monsters. He’s not afraid of dragons, vampires, olgers, dinosaurs, skeletons, or sharks. The Cat is determined to convince himself that he is not afraid of monsters that may be lurking around his house.
Personal Review: I really like this book because it’s great book to read to young children who might have a problem with sleeping in the dark, or who believe there are monsters everywhere. I also liked how it described some larger animals that might seem to be monsters, but can actually be very interesting to learn about such as the sea animals and dinosaurs. They might seem scary, but they can be animals that can be studied and considered great creatures.
Title: Paterson, Katherine (1996) Bridge to Terabithia
Genre: General Fiction
Grade Level: 3-4th Grade
Summary: Jesse is a young boy who is bombarded by his 4 sisters and his mom, while his dad is away for work much too often. He loves to draw, he loves to be alone, and practice his running to be the best and fastest runner in his class. He is afraid to show off his drawing because he is afraid of being made fun of by his classmates, and worse, his own family. Jesse meets a young girl name Leslie who becomes his best friend and actually brings out the confidence in Jesse. They build their imaginary Kingdom of Terabithia where they are the rulers of this kingdom. It becomes a safe haven type of place for them. They become very close friends, until a tragic happens, and Jesse is devastated by this tragedy.
Personal Review: I really loved this story. I liked that I was able to relate to the story because I have a son and about to have another one. It was a slight review of what it might be like for my son growing up, and I have an insight of what little boys sometimes go through when they feel like that can’t make friends or they might be afraid of being open to their likes and dislikes. I like the fact that he has a girl best friend because it shares a different relationship that most little boys have or are afraid of having because they may be bullied.
Title: Mitton, Tony (2002) Dinosaurumpus!
Genre: Rhyming Story, Comedy and Humor
Grade Level: Prek-1st Grade
Summary: This book is about a group of different types of dinosaurs who dance to the rhythm of the rhyming words used in the story. While the children are having fun dancing to the different sounds and music like wording throughout the story, they are also learning about different types of dinosaurs that lived during out historic times, and their descriptions.
Personal Review: With having a toddler to entertain and to teach, I love having a book like this that can keep my toddler interested and having fun by dancing around, staying active, and learning at the same time. I really think this book is a great way to get little ones started on a fun way to actually want to read. It shows how fun reading can be!
Title: Donaldson, Julia (2005) The Gruffalo
Genre: Rhyming Story, Comedy and Humor
Grade Level: Pre-k – 1st Grade
Summary: This book is about a mouse who is strolling through the woods where he encounters danger by large predators who want to eat him. The mouse uses his imagination to make up another large friend, who is the Gruffalo, to try to leer the other animals who want to eat him away from his direction.
Personal Review: I think this book is great way to introduce bravery to younger children who might have trouble in school with bullies or that just feel inferior to other children at school. It’s great to have imaginary beliefs as well which makes this book a great read for those who love to explore their own made-up stories of different people or places.
Title: Macdonald, George (1993) The Princess and the Goblin
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Grade Level: 6-8 grade
Summary: Princess Irene is sent away to another palace away from her father. What her father doesn’t know is that there is a city of Goblins living underneath this palace, where they have been slowly working through a tunnel for many years to try and snatch the princess. She meets another young boy by the name of Curdie who is not that much older than Irene. Curdie works with his father in the mines, but he does not fear the goblins. His way of defeating the goblins is by reciting poetry. They hate poetry. Irene and Curdie share an adventure to keep the goblins away and to keep each other safe.
Personal Review: I think is another awesome book that I would love to read to both my sons and my step daughters when they are a bit older. I love the fact that they describe both Irene and Curdie as heroes to each other, how they both have strong personalities that work together to defeat their enemies. They work together, and that message I would for my sons and stepdaughters to always remember, to protect each other no matter what.
Title: Whybrow, Ian (2010) The Flying Diggers
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Grade Level: Prek-1st Grade
Summary: This book is about a young boy name Teddy and his friend Ruby who are playing together outside when Teddy’s grandpa decides to make them some toy diggers. The two children use their imagination to make the toy diggers magical. The toy diggers become flying diggers that will help the children on their adventure to rescue a tiger in the jungle.
Personal Review: Very cute adventure book for both little boys and little girls. It’s a great read for those who love to learn about different vehicles, especially different types of trucks, and also love to use their imagination to go on adventures.
Title: Rhodes, Mary J. (2007) Life on a Coral Reef (Undersea Encounters)
Genre: General Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 3-5th
Summary: This book contains real life pictures from under water for the students to be able to visualize what it is like in our oceans. The book also talks about the relationships between the sea animals and different sea plants. There are also discussions on how these different animals adapt to the environment by describing their behaviors and patterns. Life cycles are also discussed in this book.
Personal review: This is a great book to use when teaching a science lesson on underwater life. It explains a lot about their behavioral adaptations, their life cycles, and their types of relationships between each other.
Title: Judge, Lita (2013) How Big Were Dinosaurs?
Genre: General Non-fiction
Grade Level: 1st-5th grade
Summary: While children may always have questions about the dinosaurs who use to live in our historic times, their questions will definitely be answered while reading this book. This factual book, compares our pre-historic dinosaurs to animals we are used to seeing everyday so the children can actually see how much bigger they really were back then. It also contains many interesting illustrations to keep the children interested in learning about these dinosaurs. Fossils and their discoveries are also discussed in this book as to how they are used to determine what kind of dinosaur was found, how big they are, and how long ago they died.
Personal Review: I really liked how they compared the dinosaurs to animals our children are actually used to seeing in our everyday life. While learning about their sizes, they are also learning actual facts about these different dinosaurs and their characteristics. I think it’s a great non-fiction book to read to younger children about what animals are part of our history and science as well.
Title: Munschm Robert (1995) Love You Forever
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level: Prek3
Summary: This story is about a young boy and his mom, who loves him dearly, is always there to rock him to sleep to her traditional phrase, “I’ll Love you Forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be”. The young boy drives his mom crazy from the time he is a toddler until the time he is moving out of her home, but at the end of every day, his mom sneaks into his room, and rocks him to her traditional lullaby.
Personal Review: This book I have been reading to my son since he was a baby, he is now 2.5 years old. I actually made my own tune to the lullaby phrase used in the book to sing to him every night until he fell asleep. I plan on reading this book to my soon to be second son, and singing the lullaby phrase to both my babies until they fall asleep. It’s a very sweet book to remind parents that no matter how destructive our children may be, we should always be there for them and remember the love we will always have for them.
Title: Shannon, David (1998) No, David!
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level: Prek-2nd
Summary: There’s a young destructive little boy who is always being yelled at by his mother for breaking her rules in the house! The author pertains the character to himself as the young boy. David is just always getting himself into trouble. The book has great illustrations that keep the children humored, while some of them may be able to see themselves in Mr. destructive David.
Personal Review: Because many children are always breaking the rules in mommy and daddy’s home, this book is a funny way of having kids relate to the story because we all know that sometimes children are just too curious and love to disobey their parents.
Title: Burnett, Frances H. (1962) The Secret Garden
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 3-5th
Summary: This book is about a young girl named Mary. After her parents are killed, she is sent off to live with her maternal uncle in Yorkshire. While living there, she is told about a secret garden by one of the maids that live there. After searching for the secret garden, she finally finds it and sees that it is hidden and locked away. This garden was hidden and locked away by her uncle because he was heartbroken by the death of his mistress, whom this garden had belonged to.
Personal Review: I think this is a great book to read because they do incorporate history times into the reading. I think this is a great book for middle school children to read as most middle school children feel like they are just finding themselves in their own little worlds, and with this book, they might be able to relate themselves to Mary.
Title: Burnette, Francis H. (1995) A Little Princess
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 4-7th
Summary: This book is about a young girl named Sara Crewe who has to move away from the only place she knows, India. Her father, Captain Crew is in the military and has been called to fight in the war. Her father enrolls her in to Miss Minchin’s all-girls school where she gets treated like a princess with her own room, her own toys, and a maid to wait on her. Everyone loves Sarah and always wants to listen to her stories, including the orphan girl, Becky. On her birthday celebration, she is given the most devastating news that her father has died in war. In Miss Minchin’s eyes, the only thing she is worried about is that there is no one to pay her tuition anymore, and because of this, Sara is left with no one to care for her and is sent to live in the attic of the school with the other orphan girl, Becky. Sara is an intelligent little girl and uses her imagination to get through every day without her father and accepting the fact that she is now an orphan/slave for the school.
Personal Review: This book is absolutely one of my favorites. I was a daddy’s girl growing up, so I related myself to Sara all the time. I think it is a great book for all young girls to read who believe they are not pretty, who think they are not smart, or skinny enough. There are so many girls these days that want to grow up too quickly and not take the time to enjoy their childhood. I think this book would open the eyes for a lot of young girls and open up their imagination.
Title: McCord, David T.W (1999) Every Time I Climb a Tree
Genre: Poetry and Rhymes
Grade Level: Prek-3rd
Summary: This book has a variety of different poems for children to use their imagination, and lots of wonderful pictures for them to visualize. It uses a lot of rhyming for children to expand their language. This kind of literature work shows how poetry can be utilized in the classroom to stress the importance if phonemic awareness and rhyming words to students who may have trouble with reading or identifying certain words.
Personal Review: I would definitely love to start reading this book to my son, so that he is interested in poetry the older he gets and to expand his language. The pictures and colors of the book are really neat too.
Title: Kinsman, Melinda (2014) Top of the Wardrobe Gang Book 4 Monster Poems for Monstrous Kids
Genre: Poetry and Rhymes
Grade Level: Prek- 3rd Grade
Summary: This book of poems contains many different short poems of all kinds of different little monsters. The monsters are given different kinds of characteristics and different kind of personalities, which pertains to all children of the world.
Personal Review: I think this books is a great poetry book for all young children. My son loves monsters so I will definitely be buying this book for him to introduce poetry. I love that they use a lot of bright colors and shapes as well for pre-k children.
Title: Ryan, Pam M. (2002) When Marian Sang
Genre: Biogrpahy
Grade Level: 3-5th
Summary: This book is a about an African American woman named Marian Anderson. Anderson was born in 1897 in South Philadelphia to a real heartfelt family. Her voice was discovered when she was a very young girl in her church. Her troubles came to her at 12 years old when her father passed away. She still never gave up on her singing, and because of that, she became one of the most famous African American singers in America, and achieved her dreams.
Personal review: This is definitely a book I would read to my students, as it is very important for our children to know that no matter what race you are, anyone can achieve their goals. I would want my children to know what it was like for all people of our history. Everyone can achieve their goals and dreams through any type of struggles they might come across in their life time.
Title: Kalman, Maira (2014) Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: Kindergarten- 4th Grade
Summary: This book talks about Thomas Jefferson, who was our 3rd President of our country, and also known as the write of the Declaration of Independence. The book talks about everything Thomas Jefferson did, where he traveled to, where he spent most of his time, and also how he owned more than 150 slaves during his time.
Personal Review: Another important book for children to read is about our 3rd President and why he was important. This would be a great book for a lesson on social studies and history for young children. Not very many children know too much about important people from our past, and I think biography books like this one are great for lesson plans for children to remember these important people.
Normalinda Holder
Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack moo: cows that type. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: Coldecott Honor Book
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: The cows are not happy with the conditions of their barn and request blankets for the cold nights in the barn. When farmer Brown refused the cows demands, they bring the chickens into the demanding note. After Farmer Brown refuses the demands, again the animals stop all the production of milk and eggs. After a few back and forth with the farmer and the cows, the ducks become a go between. The farmer and the cos finally come to an agreement, but now the ducks want in on the action.
Personal Review: I really enjoyed this story. The animals really took on human traits such as typing and making coherent demands. The colors in the story are true to life with the cows having their famous white and black spots. I like the real life frustrated look on the farmers face when he find the notes. I never thought the ending would turn out like it did, genius.
Normalinda Holder
Lobel, A. (1982). Owl at home. New York: Harper Collin Publishers.
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: ALA Notable Book
Age Range: 6-8
Summary: This is a chapter book with very short chapters and I will be discussing my two favorite chapters in the book: Welcome Winter and Teardrop Soup. In Welcome Winter owl hears banging on his front door and when he goes to answer the door he find no one but winter snow. He decides to allow the winter into his house. The next time he heard the banging on the door owl went to open the door and the winter snow comes rushing into his house. Owl is not happy that there is snow everywhere and he demands that the snow leave his house.
In the chapter Teardrop soup owl is in the mood for teardrop soup which is made from actual teardrops. Owl goes to get his supply of tears and finds he is out of tears to make his soup. He starts to make himself cry by thinking of sad things in order to make the tears. Soon he has the tears he needs.
Personal Review: Even though I really enjoy this whole book I only discussed two chapters in the summary. In both chapters I feel like owl takes on the human emotions of pity, for the snow and wants to help the snow get nice and warm. Owl didn’t think it all the way though. In Teardrop Soup, he starts to think of things that would make a human cry also, that gave him a true to live appearance in my eyes. The pictures in the story are sort of dark which is nice since owls are nocturnal, so it only makes sense that these stories take place at night.
Normalinda Holder
Ramsey, C. (2010). Ruth and the green book. New York: Lerner Publishing Group.
Genre: Historical fiction
Awards:
Age Range: 8-12 years old
Summary: In this historical fiction story is about a young African American girl that goes on a cross country trip to visit her grandmother in the Deep South in the 1950’s, after her father buys the family a new car. In the parts of the United States that Ruth lived in she did not come across discrimination. She soon learns that African Americans are not treated the same as the White people she meets along the way. She is told about a “Green Book” that list all the places that will do business with African American travelers. Her family buys the book and Ruth is put in charge of the book and telling her family about the businesses they can visit while on vacation to visit her grandmother.
Personal Review: I liked this book because it showed that even though the family was restricted as to where they could do business while on their trip to visit grandma that did not stop them from having a good time. The pictures are nicely done and not overly dramatic.
Normalinda Holder
Anderson, L. (1984). Surprise at muddy creek. Ontario: The Dandelion House.
Genre: Historical fiction
Awards:
Grade Level: K-3
Summary: Carries mother remarried and the new family up and moved west from Boston. Her doll Molly is the only reminder of home she has and Carrie guards her tight. Carrie and her mother are horrified when they find out that the nearest neighbors are Indians. They are invited over to the Indian camp for dinner one evening; Carrie holds her doll tight as they walk over to the camp. Once there both Carrie and her mother begin to loosen up and Carrie even joins in when the children do a dance around the fire, but she loses her balance and her doll falls into the fire. Running Fawn, the daughter of Carries new dads Indian friends, goes to the fire pit to retrieve the burning doll. Carrie is happy to have her doll back, a little charred but still beautiful. She feels that she and Running Fawn are going to have a great friendship.
Personal Review: When I first picked up the book I really thought this was just a chapter out of Laura Ingles Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie” series, but it wasn’t. This little story does take place during that same era in history. The language is the same in both books and the life stories are pretty much the same also. The pictures in the book are simple yet they do tell the story and someone with minimal reading skills could still follow along because the pictures are a true to the text.
Normalinda Holder
DePaola, T. (1983). The legend of the bluebonnet. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Genre: Folk Tales
Awards:
Grade Level: Pre-K- 3rd
Summary: This cute book follows the life of a little Comanche Indian girl, She-who-is-alone, who lost her family to drought and famine. The tribe chief calls the tribe for a meeting to let the tribe know that the spirits are mad and said the people have become selfish and are taking from the land and not putting anything back. She-who-is-alone decides to put her doll in the fire in order to make the spirits happy. In the morning there are bluebonnets as far as the eyes can see. The tribe chief calls the tribe together again and tells them that the spirits are happy with the offering and has given them the gift of the bluebonnets.
Personal Review: I read the story and enjoyed the pictures and the book is easy to follow by looking at the pictures. I am not sure how I feel about the story. The story explains why the goods are upset and have sent the drought, but it is never explained why the spirits sent bluebonnets as the reward for the offerings. I would have like an explanation for the bluebonnets. I thought from the title the legend would be about the meaning of the bluebonnet.
Normalinda Holder
Wooldridge, C. N., & Glass, A. (2001). The legend of Strap Buckner: a Texas tale. New York: Holiday House.
Genre: Folk Tales
Grade Level: 5 - 8 Years
Summary: The story of Strap Buckner takes place in San Felipe, Texas; Strap is a gentle giant that does not know his own strength. He leaves the town of San Felipe when he starts to realize that the towns’ people are trying to stay out of his way. After traveling a long way, he came across an Indian meeting and in Strap fashion, he knocked everyone down. The chief was impressed that he gave him on of the ugliest horses, but the fastest horse. The vowed to be gentle and not knock people down, but evil never sleeps and Strap started to knock people down again. The devil appeared to Strap after he voiced a challenge to the devil. After the daylong battle, the devil won, and rode off with Strap thrown over the saddle of the horse. Strap was never heard from again. It is said that he did appear one more time to Bob Turket and Bill Smotherall, but cannot be confirmed.
Personal Review: I had never heard of this story, which is a major reason why I got his book. After looking at just the pictures (book walk), I got the feeling that this book was going to somewhat rough to read. Although it is easy to read and follow what is going on, the story in my opinion does not have a moral that I could see maybe aside from don’t be boastful.
Normalinda holder
Roy, R. (2001). The Orange Outlaw. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Mystery
Awards:
Grade Level: 1st – 4th grade
Summary: This chapter book is easy to read. The story follows the gang to New York to visit Dink’s Uncle Warren. While everyone was out enjoying the block party Uncle Warren’s apartment was broken into and an expensive painting that Uncle Warren was holding for a friend is stolen. Dink, Josh and Rose Ruth are on the job and are determined to find the painting. The first good solid clue is and orange hair left at the crime scene. All is well at the end, the painting is found and the bad guys are arrested and one might be on their way to the zoo.
Personal review: This chapter book is really nice and I have enjoyed a few others from this series. There are a few pictures in the book that do follow the text nicely. There is map in the front cover of the book that we can refer back to when we a visual as we are reading the story. The kids enjoy looking at the map and tracking where they gang has been and where they are headed to in order to find the next clue.
Normalinda Holder
Spinelli, J. (2000). Stargirl. New York: Knopf :
Genre: Mystery
Award: Parent Choice award
Grade Level: 4th grade
Summary: The story is told by Leo and takes place during his tenth grade year. Star girl walks into Mica High School and nothing will ever be the same again. Star girl stands out in this cookie cutter high school. Star girl does become popular even becoming a cheerleader. After she was on “The hot seat” the students turn on her, but Leo takes a liking to her. They become a couple, but when Leo cannot take all the whispers and looks from the students. They break up. The Ocotillo Ball was the last time anyone saw Star girl. Star girl started the dance as an outcast, but ended it in Star girl fashion.
Personal Review: I got this book because it was the only book left on the table. I was very happy with the beginning of the story and did not want to put it down. In the middle of the story, it starts to get very good and I was flipping pages like a mad person, but after the dance, I changed my mind on the book. We are not told what happens to Star girl, we are left to infer what might have happened to her. I am the type of persona that needs close sure I guess. Not knowing what happen to Star girl is not seating well with me.
Normalinda Holder
Blume, J. (2009). Tales of a fourth grade nothing. New York: Penguin Group.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Young Reader’s Choice
Grade Level: 3rd & 4th Grade
Summary: This is a 10 chapter, chapter book. We follow the life of Peter Hatcher and all the mischief he seems to fid. His little brother “Fudge” just always seems to be in the center of all that mischief. This book starts with peter winning a turtle at a birthday party and his battle to keep his little brother Fudge out of his room and out of his stuff including the turtle Dribble. We are taken on a journey from having to entertain his ads clients, losing a spot on a commercial to his little brother, getting blamed when his brother got hurt at the part and finally when his brother did the unthinkable, he swallowed Dribble the turtle.
Personal Review: I can relate to what Peter is going through, since I am the oldest in my family and I always got in trouble for things my siblings did. The author Judy Blume did a great job in describing what is going on during the stories. I could really see the rooms and the action going on in the rooms. I could feel the heart ache while Fudge was in the hospital after swallowing Dribble. Most of all I really felt for Peter, since I knew exactly how he felt since I am the oldest sister in my family.
Normalinda Holder
Soto, G., & Martinez, E. (2002). Too many tamales. Weston, Conn.: Weston Woods Studios.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: 4th grade
Summary: Maria is just like any other child, curious. The phone rang while Maria was helping her mom make the Christmas tamales that is when Maria saw the shiny diamond ring sitting on the counter. She put the ring on only for a few seconds and went back to making the tamales. She watched, as the ring would disappear into the masa. Later that day her aunts, uncles, and cousins came over and that is when she realized that she has no idea where she put the diamond ring. She and the cousin run downstairs and look at the twenty-four tamales piled high in the kitchen and realize that the ring has got to be in one of the tamales. They are left no choice but to eat the tamales until the find the ring. When the last tamale is eaten and the ring is not found Maria knows what she has to do. She goes to tell her mother, that is when she sees the ring on her mother’s finger. After she confesses to her mother, her aunt says that is okay, we will just have to make another batch.
Personal Review: I can sum up what I think of the book in one word “Wonderful.” Everything is wonderful in this story. The watercolor pictures and the personal features of the people in the story are perfect. This story could have taken place at my house growing up.
Normalinda Holder
Wing, N., & Petach, H. (2000). The night before Valentine's Day. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Genre: Rhyming
Age Level: 4-8
Summary: This cute book uses the same idea as “The Night before Christmas.” The story follows a classroom of students getting ready for their Valentines party the next day. The last words in the sentence all rhyme making the story cute.
Personal Review: I am adding this book to my class library. I have re-read the story repeatedly since I found the book. The pictures are kid friendly and cartoonish. Even the animals in the story are in love. You could follow the story with only pictures if you needed too. The only thing is that the story leads you to believe that on party days at school, the whole day is just one big party, which we know is not true.
Normalinda Holder
Ward, J., & Gray, S. (2007). There was a coyote who swallowed a flea. Flagstaff, Ariz.: Rising Moon.
Genre: Rhyming
Grade Level: 3rd grade
Summary: The silly coyote swallows everything that crosses his path, it all started with a flea he plucked from his knee and ends with him trying to swallow the moon.
Personal Review: The pictures are bright, cartoonish, and entertaining. The story gets more and more outrageous in the things the coyote swallows as the story progresses, but I could not stop turning the pages to see what this silly coyote was going to swallow next.
Normalinda Holder
Potter, B. (1987). The tale of Johnny Town-Mouse (Original and authorized ed.). Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: F. Warne.
Genre: Fable
Age level: 2-6
Summary: Timmy Willie is a country mouse that fell asleep in vegetable hamper that gets send to the city once a week. When Timmy Willie wakes up, he is in the city and has no idea how to get back to the country. He makes friends with some town mice, but is having trouble getting use to the town life and longs to get back home in the country. There is too much noise and commotion in town. Johnny Town-Mouse notices that Timmy Willie is losing weight and looks very sad. Johnny Tow-Mouse helps Timmy Willie get back to the country. He tells him to get back in the basket, because the basket goes back empty for the farmer to fill it with vegetable once a week. As Timmy Willie is leaving Johnny Town-Mouse promises to visit him soon.
Johnny Town-Mouse does visit Timmy Willie, but soon realizes that this is not the life for him either. The cows mooing scare him and he is not use to walking on mud. Johnny Town-Mouse leaves on the next empty vegetable basket. They realize that there is a place for everyone.
Personal Review: I liked the story itself, but the actual book is very small and could be hard for little hands to use. The pictures are colorful but small and I do not think that young children would be entertained for very long. The book is set up with pictures on one side of the book and the text on the other side, making it look like a lot of reading. A struggling reader would not pick this book to read.
Normalinda Holder
Pfister, M. (1992). The rainbow fish. New York: North-South Books.
Genre: Fable
Age Level: 3-10
Summary: The rainbow fish loves his shinny scales; she loves the way the shine and glitters in the water as she swims. When the other fish invite her to play with them she would just continue swimming. One little fish asked for one of her shinny scales and the Rainbow fish just laughed at the little fish. Then the other fish did not want to be around her anymore and did not invite her to play with them again. Rainbow Fish seeks the advice from the wise octopus, the octopus tells the rainbow fish to share her shinny scales with the other fish. The next time the little blue fish asked her for a shiny scale Rainbow Fish hand the little fish one of her small scales. The other fish gather around and she starts to hand out scales until she only has one scale left. Then all the fish including Rainbow fish go off to play.
Personal Review: This is one of my favorite stories and I do a whole lesson on this book. The book is easy to read and follow along. The pictures are dark but I think that is so the shiny scales will stand out more. The pictures go along with the text, but you would have to read some of the text in order to really follow what is going on. The lesson at the end of the story means to me that pride will only get in the way of making friends and really being happy.
Normalinda Holder
Hahn, M. D. (1986). Wait till Helen comes: a ghost story. New York: Clarion Books.
Genre: Horror
Age level: 9-12
Summary: Little nine-year-old Heather has made Molly and Michael’s life horrible ever since their parents got married. Things get worse when the family moves out in the middle of nowhere to live in a house that once was a church. There is also a cemetery at the edge of the property and Heather makes friends with an evil spirit Helen. Once Helen shows up things get bad and almost deadly for Heather and Molly. Young Heather is also battling a big, ugly secret about the fire that killed her mother. Heather tells Molly that she started the fire that killed her mother and that her father would just hate her if he ever found out the truth. While Heather and molly are trapped in, the cellar of Helens old house Helen seems to have also made peace with her past and crosses over with her mother and father. Things get better between all the children at the end.
Personal Review: I liked the story, but is geared more towards bigger kids. The story does get intense at some parts. There are not pictures in the story but there is a map in the beginning to the reader knows how where things are taking place at.
Normalinda Holder
Charles, V. M., & Parkins, D. (2007). Don't walk alone at night!. Toronto: Tundra Books.
Genre: Horror
Age Level: 5-8
Summary: This is a cute chapter book for young readers. This book contains five short stories, each told my one of the three boys that are walking their friend home after his mother car will not start. Although the walk is not that, long they do have to go through a cemetery. Each boy says that they are not scared but do try to outdo each other my trying to say the scariest story they can think of, by the time they reach their fiends house they are a bit rattled and do accept the ride from their friends mom that says the car is now working.
Personal Review: I loved this little chapter book. There are pictures on almost all the pages, but the pictures are in black and white, which just adds to the mystery and suspense of this story. At the end of the book there is a writing activity that the class and work on.
Normalinda Holder
Armour, C. (). Volcanoes. Huntington Beach: Teacher created materials.
Genre: Informational
Age level: 5-9
Summary: This book tells us all about what makes a volcano and how they work. The book explains the difference between active and dormant volcanoes. We are given a map of where volcanoes are found and we are given a map of the “Ring of Fire.” Important details of the volcanoes are labeled and vocabulary is listed on the page the word is found on.
Personal Review: I like that the words are large print and easy to read. The labels are clear and readable. I really like that the pictures are real world and not cartoonish.
Normalinda Holder
Rice, H. (2012). Step into the rainforest. Huntington Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials.
Genre: Informational
Age Level: 5-9
Summary: We told the importance of the rainforest and how important it is to protect the rainforest and all its creations. There are little facts on the pages about the rainforest a globe of the earth is on one of the pages and shows where the rainforests are located. We are introduced to the many layers of the rainforest and then all the wonderful animals in the rainforest.
Miriam Fuentes
Literature Portfolio
Read 4380
Title: Spinelli, J. (2002). Loser. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 4-8th Grade
Summary: Loser invites the reader into the inner world of a young boy named Donald Zinkoff as he grows up and explores the new things in his world that each year brings. Zinkoff stands out and is different from his classmates but he remains happily untouched by the negativity directed towards him and takes great joy in each new challenge he faces and each personal victory. The book ends on a positive note that prompts reflection by encouraging the reader to create their own closure for the story.
Personal Reflection: I really loved this book because it was unique and radically different from my expectations. It’s not your typical coming of age story and I think this is what keeps the reader hooked until they finish it. I also like that Spinelli doesn’t present an obvious conclusion that readers are supposed to reach after reading this story. I feel that it encourages more independent thought and allows the reader to connect to the story in their own way.
Title: Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 9-12th Grade
Summary: Life was normal for Melinda Sordino until one summer night at a party, when an older student takes advantage of her. Ostracized by friends and classmates who don’t believe her, she withdraws and refuses to speak. Fighting against vicious rumors and harassed by the guy who used her, she learns to stand up for herself and speak out when he tries to hurt her again.
Personal Reflection: The author takes on a difficult subject and I like it because of the many messages embedded within it along with the very obvious one Laurie intended for readers. It is empowering to anyone who has had to fight the personal battle of finding peace and closure after a traumatic event and I think it would be a good choice for anyone who has ever struggled with finding their voice amidst so much discord from within and outside themselves.
Title: Cooper, S. (1973). The Dark is Rising ([1st ed.). New York: Atheneum.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 5-9th Grade
Summary: When Will Stanton turns eleven he learns he is no ordinary boy. The last of the ‘Old Ones’, immortals that are destined to fight the forces of darkness, he is tasked with finding the six signs that will give the Light an advantage and stop the Dark from shadowing everything. Will learns to accept the responsibilities that come with his power and bear the weight of his destiny as the Seeker. This is the second book in the series The Dark is Rising Sequence.
Personal Reflection: I loved how this book was written. It pulls the reader into the story because you are learning how everything works right along with Will. I also think Susan develops her characters exceptionally well. Will is a surprisingly mature and deep character despite his age and yet he is still relatable. I think this book is fun and has a different flavor than I’ve seen in a lot of fantasy books. It’s a good choice to pique a student’s interest.
Title: Jacques, B. (1999). Marlfox. New York: Philomel Books.
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: 6th Grade
Summary: The Abbey of Redwall is in trouble again when the mysterious villains known as the Marlfoxes, steal the abbey’s treasured tapestry depicting the abbey hero Martin the Warrior. Determined to bring it back four young friends, prompted by Martin’s spirit, band together to get it back and secure the safety of all of Mossflower and Redwall when the conniving foxes set their eyes on the abbey itself.
Personal Reflection: I grew up on this series and I think it’s fantastic. It has animism, adventure and plenty of good battles. One of the great things about this series is students don’t have to read it in chronological order because each book can stand on its own. Another thing I always appreciated about this series is that while the books have a predictable theme, Brian Jacques has equal doses of tragedy and victory so it keeps it from feeling cliché. Each book has its own unique story to share, so it keeps readers coming back for more and keeps the interest alive.
Title: Sobol, D. J. (1963). Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective. New York: T. Nelson.
Genre: Mystery
Reading Level: 3rd Grade
Summary: Encyclopedia Brown is a super, smart ten-year old boy who helps his father solve cases by using critical thinking and finding the mistakes the criminals make. Each “chapter” is a short story/case and invites readers to guess how Encyclopedia Brown solved each mystery by leaving important clues in the stories. There is an answer key in the back that allows readers to check their predictions and find out how he solved the crime.
Personal Reflection: I really like this series because all the books are interactive and help students develop comprehension and critical thinking. It’s a great book for reading aloud and a fun activity you can include in a classroom. Students need to be challenged and this is a good way to challenge them as well as encourage reading because the chapters aren’t intimidating.
Title: Keene, C. (1961). Nancy Drew Mystery Stories: The Mystery at Lilac Inn. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Genre: Mystery
Reading Level: 6-8th Grade
Summary: Nancy begins investigating the mysterious haunting at her friend’s inn when she learns that someone has broken into her room at home, stolen some of her things and impersonated her. With no leads she returns to the inn only to witness the theft of her friend’s priceless diamonds. She soon connects the two events together and sets off to find the culprit responsible. Using her sharp mind and great, sleuthing abilities she finds the hideout, narrowly escapes death and is able to return the gems to her friend.
Personal Reflection: I think the Nancy Drew Series is great. The female, super sleuth is a great character and the adventures she and her friends have are always fun to read about. I think the book is a good length too and there are so many books in the series that once a reader is hooked, they’ll have plenty more adventures to choose from. Another fun tie to the series is the pc games and movie that are based off of the mysteries.
Title: Beckett-Bowman, L. (2008). Seashore. Saffron Hill, London: Usborne Publishing Ltd.
Genre: Informational
Reading Level: 3-5th grade
Summary: This book invites readers to discover the unique plants and animals that live along the seashore and learn about the environment these organisms live in. This book is broken up into different sections so readers can switch gears and focus on manageable chunks.
Personal Reflection: I like this book because it presents information in a very accessible way. The layout is great and doesn’t look intimidating to a reader. I also like that the book doesn’t “dumb” the science down but includes proper terms. It’s a good book to choose to use as to extend or support a lesson on marine life.
Title: French, V. (2003). Growing Frogs. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press.
Genre: Informational; Picture book; Nonfiction
Reading Level: K-3rd
Summary: A young girl and her mother discover and learn about the life cycle of frogs by catching some tadpoles and watching them grow. The format is unique and brings a storybook element to the book but all the insets with frog facts and the information is factual and correct.
Personal Reflection: I think this book is a fantastic way to get students excited not just about reading, but about learning. This isn’t your typical dry collection of facts. The information is presented through a story and frog facts are included throughout the book. It does make this book a bit difficult to classify because it’s part picture book and part informational. I’ve also seen it simply classified as non-fiction. Regardless I think I would consider it information because of the content and the features it has that are common for informational texts.
Title: Prelutsky, J. (1986). Read-aloud Rhymes for the Very Young. New York: A. Knopf.
Genre: Poetry
Reading Level: K-2nd Grade
Summary: This is a collection of poems from various authors targeting young students. The theme of the book is childhood with all its little victories, wonders and curiosities. The overall tone of the book is light-hearted and perfect for getting children interested in poetry. Clever illustrations bring the poems to life and the length of each poem is appropriate for the intended audience.
Personal Reflection: I really like this book as a good introduction to poetry for young students. It was created with them in mind so the format is meant to be appealing and unintimidating to them. I think this is a good book for students to reference for activities like creating their own poems and getting used to the style and purpose of poetry.
Title: Cook, R. J. (1958). One Hundred and One Famous Poems, With a Prose Supplement: An Anthology (Rev. ed.). Chicago: Reilly & Lee.
Genre: Poetry
Reading Level: 4-12th Grade
Summary: This book is a compilation of 101 classic and well known poems like The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe and Oh Captain, My Captain by Walt Whitman. Other contributors include poets Emily Dickenson, William Shakespeare and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Personal Reflection: I always loved this book growing up. I still remember my mother assigning me poems to memorize and recite or just browsing through it to see what other poets had written. I think this is a great book to have because it offers a wide variety of themes and styles students to become familiar with and includes a lot of classic poetry that I feel is important for students to be exposed to and learn.
Title: Denenberg, B. (2003). The Royal Diaries: Elisabeth the Princess Bride. New York: Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level: 6-8th Grade
Summary: Elisabeth is a stubborn, free-spirited girl who loves her freedom and is quite the opposite of her quiet, collected and lady-like sister Helene. Her mother and aunt, the Archduchess, arrange for a court visit with goal of arranging a marriage between Helene and the Emperor Franz Joseph. To everyone’s surprise, the Emperor instead selects Elisabeth as his bride and Elisabeth must take up the challenge of learning to fulfill her future role as Empress of Austria.
Personal Reflection: I really enjoyed this book because Elisabeth is a dynamic character and this book draws the reader into this time period and the real events that happened. Even thought it’s written as a diary it, the story moves along smoothly and the reader can easily follow along. I think this format and this series really helps readers connect with these historical figures and brings history to life in a fun and original way.
Title: Reece, C. L. (1998). The American Adventure: The Mayflower Adventure. Uhrichsville, Ohio: Barbour Pub.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reading Level: 3-5th Grade
Summary: Siblings John and Sarah are on an adventure. Their family has decided to make the move to the New World aboard the Mayflower. Excitement runs high at the beginning of the journey but things start to get rough the farther from land they get. Frightening storms, sickness and tragedy will test everyone aboard the ship but once they reach land they’ll discover that their courage and perseverance was worth it in the end.
Personal Reflection: I love this series because a reader can take a walk through history and learn about important events by reading each book. The authors do a fantastic job of creating cliff hangars and enticing the reader to keep going to the next chapter to figure out what happens next. Another thing I always appreciated about this series is how it’s appealing to both boys and girls so everyone can get into it and find a character to relate to. I do feel it is important to note that the different characters’ faith and beliefs plays a role in their actions so that is something to be mindful of if you plan to read this series or suggest it to a student.
Title: Wood, D., & Wood, A. (1984). The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. Auburn, ME: Child's Play (International).
Genre: Picture Book
Reading Level: Pre-K to 1st
Summary: One little mouse can’t wait to eat his giant, delicious strawberry but everyone knows bears love them too and the sweet, ripe smell draws a hungry bear to the mouse. This mouse is determined to not lose his strawberry so he shares it with his reader to keep it safe from the bear.
Personal Reflection: I think this story is absolutely adorable and the illustrations are wonderful. The colors are bright and help engage the reader along with the way the book is written. I think kids will love the mouse and have a lot of fun with the book.
Title: Neuschwander, C. (1999). Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math
Adventure. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Genre: Picture Book; Educational; Nonfiction
Reading Level: 3-7th Grade
Summary: When the knight Sir Circumference gets a terrible bellyache during his midday meal, he sends his son Radius to find the doctor and bring back a cure. Radius races to the castle and brings back a jar that he thinks will help his father. To their mutual horror he turns into a dragon. Now Radius must unravel a riddle to get the cure that will turn his father back into a human before time runs out and he’s stuck that way forever.
Personal Reflection: I am a huge fan of books that can serve multiple purposes. I actually heard about this book in a math class and I think it’s brilliant. It teaches children about circumference, diameter and pi in a fun way. Traditionally math is a very unpopular subject and I think this is not only a great way to engage students with a fun story but to help them learn something educational as well.
Title: Sewell, A. (1997). Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse. New York: DK Pub.
Genre: Classics
Reading Level: 6-8th Grade
Summary: This book is about the life of a special horse named Black Beauty. This story is told in the horse’s own words and he shares with readers what his life was like growing up. Black Beauty grew up with a gentle master and learned what it means to be a well bred horse. Each time he is sold he strives to serve his master’s wishes even when that master is cruel and thoughtless. After an especially rough couple of years, he is lucky enough to be reunited with a stable lad who used to take care of him when he was just a foal and Black Beauty is able to spend the rest of his days in peace and happiness.
Personal Reflection: I think this is a great book for any student who is an animal lover and since it’s told from the horse’s perspective it offers a unique view that will draw readers into the story. My sister and I always loved this book and it’s a great way to get students to learn to think about things from a different perspective and remember that there are always multiple sides to every story and event.
Title: Wells, H. G. (2008). The Invisible Man. New York [N.Y.: Papercutz.
Genre: Classics
Reading Level: 4-7th Grade
Summary: Meet Griffin, a scientist who has discovered a way to make a mixture that will turn things invisible. He tries it on himself and is at first elated with his great discovery. As times goes on, many difficulties arise as he tries to deal with the many challenges presented with being invisible and deal with an unexpected side effect: insanity.
Personal Reflection: I think this book is great because it deals with the reality and challenges of what at first seems like a fantastic super power. I think most children at one point or another have wished to be invisible and I like that this book gets readers to think
about and weigh the reality of discovering and using something like invisibility. This is one of those books that is perfect for discussion groups and motivating students to think on a higher level.
Title: Strachey, L. (1989). Queen Victoria: A Life. New York: Harcourt Trade Publishers.
Genre: Biography
Reading Level: Unknown; maybe 5-9th Grade*
Summary: Lytton Strachey draws readers into the life of this influential and strong queen. He starts with her childhood, follows her marriage to Prince Albert, her ascendency to the throne and finally her life as a monarch of the British Crown. He also notes the impact and contributions she made to society and gives details about her children.
Personal Reflection: This was a surprising find for me. I’m not a huge fan of biographies and I honestly expected this to be a boring recitation of facts.
The book is far from dry and instead the reader feels like they are getting to see a personal and up close view of this Queen’s life. Lytton Strachey helps readers connect with Queen Victoria, seeing how she thinks and feels about things while still giving readers an accurate account of the facts.
*As a disclaimer I’m honestly just making an educated guess on the grade level of this book. I searched many sites and couldn’t find anything that told me the grade level or reading level of this book.
Title: Grealy, L. (1994). Autobiography of a face. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Genre: Autobiography
Reading Level: 9-12th Grade
Summary: Lucy Grealy was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 9. Not fully understanding just how sick she is, Lucy slowly begins to realize what is happening to her as she undergoes multiple surgeries, loses part of her jaw, and starts chemotherapy. Throughout all this the possibility of death is not something she can or will accept. Lucy learns to find the internal strength she needs to combat the cancer, the taunts of her peers because of her appearance and quiet the questions and doubts within her-self by learning to not let a mirror or other people’s ideas define her as a person.
Personal Reflection: This book was both captivating and very hard for me to read. Her story is told in such a raw, personal and honest way that the reader can’t help but feel some discomfort because she lets you see so much and yet massive amounts of respect. She confronts and tries to tackle questions all of us have or will have to ask at some point about our identity, purpose and the motives that drive us. I think this book was well written and definitely a good book for older students to read because it pushes the reader to expand their perspective and challenges their own sense of self and world.
Dorothy Guerrero
CHILDREN`S & ADOLESCENTS' LIT
Professor YoungDorothy Guerrero
Garza, Carmen Lomas (1996) In My Family-En Mi Familia. San Fransco California, Children’s Book Press
Genre: Non –Fiction
Culture: Hispanic
Grade Level: 2nd – 5th
Summary: In My Family is a non-fiction book written be a local artist who grew up in Kingsville Texas. This book is beautifully illustrated with memories of her childhood which include traditions of her south Texas culture. It includes illustrations and stories such as, Cleaning Nopalitos, Birthday Bar B Que, and Painting Easter Eggs. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books.
Personal Review: I love this book because it reflects our south Texas traditions. I would recommend this book to teach about diversity and culture. I believe as educators it is important to teach tolerance to young children. It gives young children a different perspective and helps build the bridge to humanity. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books She also has a book called Magic Windows which is excellent. These books cover content areas in Social Studies, Writing, Reading and Creative Art.
Rylant, Cynthia (1985) The Relatives Came. New York. Anthemum Books for Young Readers
Genre: Juvenile Non Fiction
Award: Caldecott
Culture: Family Life
Grade Level: 1st -4th
Summary: When the Relatives Came is book which depicts the life of the author when they went on a summer vacation in Virginia. The family starts on a road trip where they see strange house and mountains. When they arrive to their cousin’s house they are greeted by relatives who eat too much and eventually they all sleep on the floor.
Personal Review: I like the illustrations in the book. It is beautifully written. I feel children can relate to this book because at one time or another we all have had those crazy relatives that come down once a year. At one point in time we have had to make room and sleep on a couch on the floor, or even outside! It reflects traditions our culture. I would use this book maybe with the Strategy Grand Conversations right after summer vacation. Children love to share their stories over the summer. It builds awareness of similarities and differences within us
Keane Dave, (2009) Sloppy Joe New York Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade Level 1st – 3rd
Summary: This is a book about a little boy who strives every day to be clean but cant. His grade school picture was taken with a piece of gum in it. He collects frogs for a living and even though his room is a big mess he can locate everything in there except for a grilled cheese sandwich he lost last summer. The neighbors won’t even let him in the house when he asks to play with his friends. He sets out on a mission to be clean Joe for a day but he fails. His family forgives him because they all come down with the flue and tries to take care of them.
Personal Review. It is funny and a really cute book. I have read this book over and over to different groups of children and they love it because they sometimes struggle keeping up with their own room or personal belongings.
Emmett, Jonathan. The Princess and the Pig. New York. Walter & Company
Genre: Fairy Tale
Grade Level: 1st-5th
Summary: This is a traditional once upon a time there was a poor farmer who did not even have a horse to pull his cart. All he had was a small piglet who he could not even sell in the market place. They did not have any children. On the way home one day the kingdoms princess accidently winds up is his cart. The Princess falls in the cart and the pig flies up in the air and lands in the princess bed. The only explanation for the mix up is there must have been a bad fairy who did this because this is what happens in once a upon a time tales. The farmer raises the princess while the Queen raises the pig as a princess.
Personal review: It is funny and the children love to see the pig trying to be a princess. It can also lead to a wonderful writing. I would prompt the children to make up their own Once upon a time story.
Spinelli, Jerry ( 1997) Wringer, New York, Scholastic Inc.
Award: Newberry medal for Manic Magee
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade Level: 2nd- 6th
Summary: This is a book about a boy trying to fit in the neighborhood gang or cliché of boys who all want to be a Wringer. In this little boys town they hold annual festival or carnival every year. One of the games or sponsored town game is to release over 1000 pigeons and shoot them. A Wringer is supposed to catch the birds which are injured and wring their necks. This poses as a conflict snots because he has adopted a pigeon which he keeps in his room. He struggles with the fact that his father was a wringer and he feels the pressure of becoming one because of peer pressure.
Personal Review: I personally struggled reading this book. I felt for the birds and especially for Snots. Snots have a kind heart and are having trouble becoming his own person. My grandson loved the book. I did not like the book. I think it hit too close to home for me. After the entire girl who gets called names and tortured throughout the book is named Dorothy which just happens to be my name.
Rawls, Wilson (1996) Where the Red Fern Grows,
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade level 2nd-6th
Summary: This book is about little boy who is living through the depression era in the hills with his family. He sets out to raise money to buy a couple of coon dogs. Money is raised by selling wild berries and vegetables to his grandfather’s store. He eventually raises enough money to buy two of them. This book depicts a boy rite of passage to becoming a man. He trains them to hunt coons which help with the family income. The love he has for his dogs is endearing. At the end they die saving his life from a cougar that almost attacked him.
Personal Review: It was sad and nostalgic This boy worked so hard to raise money for his dogs It is very endearing and will bring a grown man to tears. It reminded me of my childhood. I was not raised in the hills but my family was not well off. I could relate to the character in the story. Loved this book.
Zolotow, Charlotte (1998) The Bunny who found Easter Boston Houghton Milton company
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade level: 1st -3rd
Summary: The bunny wakes up in the wrong season and sets out to find Easter. He is caught in a summer storm. Then he is stuck under an apple tree in the fall. There is not another bunny to be seen anywhere. He blazes through a winter storm searching for another bunny. He settles down for a winter’s nap and wakes up to find spring where he encounters another bunny!
Personal review: It would be great holiday story. The Illustrations appear to have been done in pastels and watercolor. It is a cute story. I tried to read it to Pre K 4 and it was too long for them.
Schachner, Judy (2003) Skippy Jon Jones, New York Dutton Children’s Book
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade level: 1st -3rd
Summary: Skippy Jon Jones is a naughty little kitten who loves to pretend to be everything but a cat. One day when he was bouncing on his bed he sees a reflection and believes he is now a chihuahua dog. When he is being punished he pretends he is in Mexico and is helping a gang Los Chimichangas !! Funny lots of play on words and rhyming
Personal review: As Skippy Jon Jones states “Holy Guacamole!” I loved all of the poem rhyming in this book. It came with a Cd. And the students in my class loved it. I added a Zorro mask to the library center. They put it on every time they reach for the book
Hardin Melenda (2013) Hero Mom New YorkAmazon Children’s Publishing
Genre: Fiction
Grade level: 1st Grade
Summary: In today day and age we have mothers who are American Soldiers, This book illustrates their courage as they fight along to keep our country safe. It is a quick read but it shows mothers in armed forces building skyscrapers, flying planes, fixing planes, building machines mending soldiers and defending the country.
Personal Review: I think it is important to illustrate women in powerful roles contributing to our community. It is also important to teach children how to be patriotic.
Becker, Aaron (2013) Journey Boston , Candlewick Press
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: 1st -4th
Summary: This is a picture book without any words. It is interesting because the illustrations draw you in. It is about a lonely little girl who one day draws a door with her re Crayola. And thus the adventure begins. She travels to beautiful parks, London, and a beutiful palace where she is captured by a ruler. She is able to draw a magic carpet and escape.
Personal review: I liked this book because sometime one has to just use their imagination and fill in the blanks or infer what is going on.
Howe, James, (2006) Bunnicula and friends The Fright before Christmas New York Anthemum Books for Young Readers
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Summary; While Howie the dog is waiting for Santa to arrive he hears strange noises in the house. They go out see what is making the noises. Howie is afraid of Santa and his friends are wondering why.
Personal Review. It is a cute book and a great way to introduce chapter books to young children.
Robinson, Fiona (2013) Whale Shines An Artistic Tale New York Abrahams Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Fiction
Summary. The Story starts with “ Once upon a tide” This is a cute story about a whale who wants to be an artist. So he sets out on a journey to look for entries to his art show. He combs the sea looking for artists. The hammerhead sharks are working on a sculpture while the squid is busy making the paint. He longs to be able to build or paint something . So he uses bioluminescent phytoplankton to paint a glow in the dark painting in the sea! He painted the moon and the stars for all of the underwater fish to see.
Personal review: I liked this book because it can be added to the aquarium unit in my class. It can also be included as an introduction to art.
Dean James, (2013) Pete the Cat Plays Ball Harpers Collins Publishing
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Pete The Cat is a series of books which cater to emerging readers. In this book he takes a handle on learning how to play baseball. Pete does not have a good day at the ball park but he is modeling good sportsmanship.
Personal review: The Pete the Cat early reader’s series is great for young children who are learning how to read because it makes them feel successful.
Fox Mem, (1997) Whoever You Are Orlando, Vayager Books, Harcourt Inc.
Genre: Multicultural
Summary: This book discusses similarities and differences in children from all over the world. It is a multicultural book about how different our skin may be from each other but we are the same.
Dorothy Guerrero
CHILDREN`S & ADOLESCENTS' LIT
Professor YoungDorothy Guerrero
Garza, Carmen Lomas (1996) In My Family-En Mi Familia. San Fransco California, Children’s Book Press
Genre: Non –Fiction
Culture: Hispanic
Grade Level: 2nd – 5th
Summary: In My Family is a non-fiction book written be a local artist who grew up in Kingsville Texas. This book is beautifully illustrated with memories of her childhood which include traditions of her south Texas culture. It includes illustrations and stories such as, Cleaning Nopalitos, Birthday Bar B Que, and Painting Easter Eggs. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books.
Personal Review: I love this book because it reflects our south Texas traditions. I would recommend this book to teach about diversity and culture. I believe as educators it is important to teach tolerance to young children. It gives young children a different perspective and helps build the bridge to humanity. Carmen Lopez Garza has received several awards for her books She also has a book called Magic Windows which is excellent. These books cover content areas in Social Studies, Writing, Reading and Creative Art.
Rylant, Cynthia (1985) The Relatives Came. New York. Anthemum Books for Young Readers
Genre: Juvenile Non Fiction
Award: Caldecott
Culture: Family Life
Grade Level: 1st -4th
Summary: When the Relatives Came is book which depicts the life of the author when they went on a summer vacation in Virginia. The family starts on a road trip where they see strange house and mountains. When they arrive to their cousin’s house they are greeted by relatives who eat too much and eventually they all sleep on the floor.
Personal Review: I like the illustrations in the book. It is beautifully written. I feel children can relate to this book because at one time or another we all have had those crazy relatives that come down once a year. At one point in time we have had to make room and sleep on a couch on the floor, or even outside! It reflects traditions our culture. I would use this book maybe with the Strategy Grand Conversations right after summer vacation. Children love to share their stories over the summer. It builds awareness of similarities and differences within us
Keane Dave, (2009) Sloppy Joe New York Scholastic Inc.
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade Level 1st – 3rd
Summary: This is a book about a little boy who strives every day to be clean but cant. His grade school picture was taken with a piece of gum in it. He collects frogs for a living and even though his room is a big mess he can locate everything in there except for a grilled cheese sandwich he lost last summer. The neighbors won’t even let him in the house when he asks to play with his friends. He sets out on a mission to be clean Joe for a day but he fails. His family forgives him because they all come down with the flue and tries to take care of them.
Personal Review. It is funny and a really cute book. I have read this book over and over to different groups of children and they love it because they sometimes struggle keeping up with their own room or personal belongings.
Emmett, Jonathan. The Princess and the Pig. New York. Walter & Company
Genre: Fairy Tale
Grade Level: 1st-5th
Summary: This is a traditional once upon a time there was a poor farmer who did not even have a horse to pull his cart. All he had was a small piglet who he could not even sell in the market place. They did not have any children. On the way home one day the kingdoms princess accidently winds up is his cart. The Princess falls in the cart and the pig flies up in the air and lands in the princess bed. The only explanation for the mix up is there must have been a bad fairy who did this because this is what happens in once a upon a time tales. The farmer raises the princess while the Queen raises the pig as a princess.
Personal review: It is funny and the children love to see the pig trying to be a princess. It can also lead to a wonderful writing. I would prompt the children to make up their own Once upon a time story.
Spinelli, Jerry ( 1997) Wringer, New York, Scholastic Inc.
Award: Newberry medal for Manic Magee
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade Level: 2nd- 6th
Summary: This is a book about a boy trying to fit in the neighborhood gang or cliché of boys who all want to be a Wringer. In this little boys town they hold annual festival or carnival every year. One of the games or sponsored town game is to release over 1000 pigeons and shoot them. A Wringer is supposed to catch the birds which are injured and wring their necks. This poses as a conflict snots because he has adopted a pigeon which he keeps in his room. He struggles with the fact that his father was a wringer and he feels the pressure of becoming one because of peer pressure.
Personal Review: I personally struggled reading this book. I felt for the birds and especially for Snots. Snots have a kind heart and are having trouble becoming his own person. My grandson loved the book. I did not like the book. I think it hit too close to home for me. After the entire girl who gets called names and tortured throughout the book is named Dorothy which just happens to be my name.
Rawls, Wilson (1996) Where the Red Fern Grows,
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade level 2nd-6th
Summary: This book is about little boy who is living through the depression era in the hills with his family. He sets out to raise money to buy a couple of coon dogs. Money is raised by selling wild berries and vegetables to his grandfather’s store. He eventually raises enough money to buy two of them. This book depicts a boy rite of passage to becoming a man. He trains them to hunt coons which help with the family income. The love he has for his dogs is endearing. At the end they die saving his life from a cougar that almost attacked him.
Personal Review: It was sad and nostalgic This boy worked so hard to raise money for his dogs It is very endearing and will bring a grown man to tears. It reminded me of my childhood. I was not raised in the hills but my family was not well off. I could relate to the character in the story. Loved this book.
Zolotow, Charlotte (1998) The Bunny who found Easter Boston Houghton Milton company
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade level: 1st -3rd
Summary: The bunny wakes up in the wrong season and sets out to find Easter. He is caught in a summer storm. Then he is stuck under an apple tree in the fall. There is not another bunny to be seen anywhere. He blazes through a winter storm searching for another bunny. He settles down for a winter’s nap and wakes up to find spring where he encounters another bunny!
Personal review: It would be great holiday story. The Illustrations appear to have been done in pastels and watercolor. It is a cute story. I tried to read it to Pre K 4 and it was too long for them.
Schachner, Judy (2003) Skippy Jon Jones, New York Dutton Children’s Book
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Grade level: 1st -3rd
Summary: Skippy Jon Jones is a naughty little kitten who loves to pretend to be everything but a cat. One day when he was bouncing on his bed he sees a reflection and believes he is now a chihuahua dog. When he is being punished he pretends he is in Mexico and is helping a gang Los Chimichangas !! Funny lots of play on words and rhyming
Personal review: As Skippy Jon Jones states “Holy Guacamole!” I loved all of the poem rhyming in this book. It came with a Cd. And the students in my class loved it. I added a Zorro mask to the library center. They put it on every time they reach for the book
Hardin Melenda (2013) Hero Mom New YorkAmazon Children’s Publishing
Genre: Fiction
Grade level: 1st Grade
Summary: In today day and age we have mothers who are American Soldiers, This book illustrates their courage as they fight along to keep our country safe. It is a quick read but it shows mothers in armed forces building skyscrapers, flying planes, fixing planes, building machines mending soldiers and defending the country.
Personal Review: I think it is important to illustrate women in powerful roles contributing to our community. It is also important to teach children how to be patriotic.
Becker, Aaron (2013) Journey Boston , Candlewick Press
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: 1st -4th
Summary: This is a picture book without any words. It is interesting because the illustrations draw you in. It is about a lonely little girl who one day draws a door with her re Crayola. And thus the adventure begins. She travels to beautiful parks, London, and a beutiful palace where she is captured by a ruler. She is able to draw a magic carpet and escape.
Personal review: I liked this book because sometime one has to just use their imagination and fill in the blanks or infer what is going on.
Howe, James, (2006) Bunnicula and friends The Fright before Christmas New York Anthemum Books for Young Readers
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Summary; While Howie the dog is waiting for Santa to arrive he hears strange noises in the house. They go out see what is making the noises. Howie is afraid of Santa and his friends are wondering why.
Personal Review. It is a cute book and a great way to introduce chapter books to young children.
Robinson, Fiona (2013) Whale Shines An Artistic Tale New York Abrahams Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Fiction
Summary. The Story starts with “ Once upon a tide” This is a cute story about a whale who wants to be an artist. So he sets out on a journey to look for entries to his art show. He combs the sea looking for artists. The hammerhead sharks are working on a sculpture while the squid is busy making the paint. He longs to be able to build or paint something . So he uses bioluminescent phytoplankton to paint a glow in the dark painting in the sea! He painted the moon and the stars for all of the underwater fish to see.
Personal review: I liked this book because it can be added to the aquarium unit in my class. It can also be included as an introduction to art.
Dean James, (2013) Pete the Cat Plays Ball Harpers Collins Publishing
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Pete The Cat is a series of books which cater to emerging readers. In this book he takes a handle on learning how to play baseball. Pete does not have a good day at the ball park but he is modeling good sportsmanship.
Personal review: The Pete the Cat early reader’s series is great for young children who are learning how to read because it makes them feel successful.
Fox Mem, (1997) Whoever You Are Orlando, Vayager Books, Harcourt Inc.
Genre: Multicultural
Summary: This book discusses similarities and differences in children from all over the world. It is a multicultural book about how different our skin may be from each other but we are the same.
Chelsea Derrick Literature Portfolio
Book: National Geographic Kids: Pandas
Approximate Level: 1st- 3rd
Genre: Informational
Summary: This book shares facts and colorful real life pictures of pandas and their habits.
Reflection: This book will help students develop their vocabulary. Also it is educational and interesting. Also at the end of the book at has a review for the children to use their newly learned vocabulary in an activity of writing a story.
Book: The Planets in Our Solar System
Author: Franklyn Branley
Approximate Level: 2nd – 4th
Genre: Informational
Summary: Read about the eight planets in our solar system and Earth's special place in it. This book also includes instructions for making your own solar.
Reflection: This book will help students build their vocabulary in science. Also it gives a great description of the solar system.
Book: Pinkalicious
Author: Victoria Kann
Approximate Level: Kinder- 3rd
Genre: Fiction
Summary: When Pinkalicious uses all of her friend, Alison’s paint. Pink must find a way to make it up to her friend.
Reflection: This book would be good because it is easy reading. This book might be more commonly read by girls because it will call to them because of the Pinkalicious title. Also this book can teach a lesson to the child because of the story line.
Book: Henry and Mudge and a Very Merry Christmas
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Approximate Level: Kinder- 2nd
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Christmas at Henry and Mudge's house means cookies and carols and presents, and the whole family gathering for a delicious breakfast. It may just be the best Christmas ever -- but Henry's favorite present is the big, lovable dog he's had all along.
Reflection: This book is good because it has a little more complex story. Also it has varied sentences structure. Also it is a good way to introduce what chapters are to students.
Book: Magic Tree House: Afternoon on the Amazon
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Approximate Level: 2nd- 4th
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Jack and Annie are two kids who have a magic tree house that takes them to different places. They end up getting terribly lost in the rain forest. They see different animals like killer ants and vampire bats.
Reflection: This book would be good because of it would capture the child’s imagination. The child would be interested in the book which would make him more likely to read the book and not want to put it away. Also it introduces the concept of chapter books to the child.
Book: Harry Potter (any of them)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Approximate Level: 5th and up
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Story of a young orphan boy who becomes a wizard. There are many books in this series.
Reflection: This book is great to develop student’s imaginations. Also it will be a book that can encourage reading because of how many books are in the series.
Book: You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You
Author: Hoberman
Approximate level: Kinder- 3rd
Genre: Fairytale
Summary: This is a book of fairy tale rhymes that is made to use for reader’s theatre.
Reflection: This book would be good because it is reader’s theatre. It is a great way to demonstrate good reading habits and have the student mirrors your reading technique on their own lines. Also it has rhyming which is always helpful for a beginning reader.
Book: Snow White: A Tale From Brothers Grimm
Author: Jakob Grimm
Approximate level: 2-3rd
Genre: Fairytale
Summary: This tells the fairytale story about Snow White.
Reflection: This book is good because it can be turned into a reader’s theatre.
Book: Cha Cha Chimps
Author: Julia Durango
Approximate level: kinder- 1st
Genre: Rhythmic
Summary: It’s a new twist on the ten little monkeys jumping on the bed, but this time they are ten little monkeys who love to dance.
Reflection: This book would be good for beginning readers because it is rhyming and very repetitive.
Book: Dr.Seuss on the Loose
Author: Seuss
Approximate Level: for all ages!
Genre: Rhythmic
Summary: This book pulls poetry from all the famous Dr. Seuss books.
Reflection: This book would be good for early readers because of its rhyming and easy words. Also some of these poems might be recognizable to the child which should help them be able to figure out the words.
Book: Home Run
Author: Robert Burleigh
Approximate grade level: 3rd- 4th
Genre: Biography
Summary: The man who made the game of baseball, George Herman Ruth, wasn't always the Babe. Once he was a boy playing ball on a dirt lot.
Reflection: This book is good to help a student with a historical lesson or paper. I think it is extremely interesting and tells a story and not just state facts about him.
Book: Who Was Walt Disney?
Author: Whitney Stewart
Approximate grade level: 5-7th grade
Genre: Biography
Summary: His family was poor, and the happiest time of his childhood was spent living on a farm in Missouri. His affection for small-town life is reflected in Disneyland Main Streets around the world. With black-and-white illustrations.
Reflection: this book tells the story of Walt Disney and how he became the famous creator of Disney. It will be a good book for a student who would be writing a report on Mr. Walt Disney.
Book: Jack and the Beanstalk
Author: Paul Galdone
Approximate grade level: K-2nd
Genre: Folk Tale
Summary: Tells the story of Jack and his magic bean stalk.
Reflection: This book is great for kids because it is rhythmic and tells the classic story all kids know or should know.
Book: Three Little Pigs
Author: Golden Books
Approximate grade level: Kinder
Genre: Folk Tale
Summary: Tells the story of the three little pigs.
Reflection: This book is an easy read and teaches a lesson like all the folktale stories try to do.
Book: Journey
Author: Aaron Becker
Approximate grade level: 3rd
Genre: Science fiction
Summary: You get to follow a girl on an elaborate flight into an amazing world.
Reflection: This is a great book because of the amazing illustrations.
Book: Magic School Bus series
Author: Joanna Cole
Approximate grade level: Kinder- 1st
Genre: Science Fiction
Summary: This series is about a silly science teacher who takes her class on crazy bus rides to explore the world of science.
Reflection: This book is great to teach science to younger students.
Book: A Butterfly Is Patient
Author: Dianna Aston
Approximate grade level: K- 3rd
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary: This book tells the story of different butterflies.
Reflection: This book is good to use for science.
Book: Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909
Author: Michelle Markel
Approximate grade level: 3rd
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary: True story of Clara Lemlich, a young Ukrainian immigrant who led the largest strike of women workers in U.S. history. This picture book biography includes a bibliography and an author's note on the garment industry. It follows the plight of immigrants in America in the early 1900s, tackling topics like activism and the U.S. garment industry, with handstitching and fabric incorporated throughout the art.
Reflection: This book will be good to use in a history class. This is also a biography so it could be used to help with a book report on a historical character.
Marcus Montez
READ 4380-001
Maurice Sendak 1963 Where the Wild Things Are
Genre: Picture Book Short Story
Grade Level: PreK-3
Awards: Caldecott Medal Winner
Summary: A young boy named Max is sent to bed without dinner. Max puts on a wolf suit and out of nowhere a forest begins to grow in his room. Max appears to be in the land where the wild things are. Luckily for Max, the wild things are kind and do not eat him, but instead appoint king.
Personal Review: This book portrays Max’s creativity, which allows the reader to be taken into a fantasy world. This book was interesting.
Dr. Seuss 1960 Green Eggs and Ham
Genre: Picture Book Short Story
Grade Level: PreK-3
Summary: Sam-I-Am harasses an unnamed character, which is also the narrator, to eat green eggs and ham, but his response is “I do not like green eggs and ham”. Sam-I-Am repeats this question in various locations, but the response is always the same.
Personal Review: This book is very repetitive. It is a good book to help young children learn to read. It has a very basic vocabulary that allows beginners to learn easily and also to have fun!
Anne Frank 1964 The Diary of Anne Frank
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: A thirteen-year-old Jewish girl is hiding up in the attic during WWII. While hiding she writes her experiences in a diary. She is hiding in a secret annex of an office building. Away from the outside world Anne and her family face boredom, hunger, and live in constant fear of being caught.
Personal Review: It is a good book for young adults to read because it teaches them about WWII history, and also relates to their age group. It shows the readers what was happening to in Germany during that time period.
Ishmael Beah 2007 A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 12
Summary: Beah tells his true-life story of how he grew up in Sierra Leone. He grew up surrounded by war and fighting. He was also forced to fight as a child. At age thirteen he had already done terrible things. Eventually UNICEF saves him and through rehabilitation he learns to forgive himself and heal.
Personal Review: It’s a good book for young adolescents to read because it shows that not everyone is raised in the same manner. Everyone will look at life differently.
Elie Wiesel 1956 Night
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary: Elie Wiesel is a 15-year-old Jew that loses everything and is taken into a Nazi camp. This story describes his experiences and things he has seen. Throughout the story Elie witnesses the death of his family and many others. He questions his God about the hatred he has seen on this earth.
Personal Review: This book was an interesting read. It could be considered a biography, but after research I found the Elie had considered it fiction because he takes certain stories out and adds some fiction characters.
Markus Zusak 2006 The Book Thief
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 7-12
Summary: This book is narrated by death. It tells the story of young Liesel Meminger (who’s mother was a communist) that gets adopted into a Nazi family. Liesel cannot read but together, with the help of her papa, she begins to learn. In this story Liesel’s family hides a Jew named Max. While Max is staying, Liesel begins to “borrow” books from the mayor’s wife because they have such a grand library.
Personal Review: This is a thrilling story that keeps the reader captivated. I enjoyed this book because death narrates it so well. It portrays a young girl who has the courage to stand up for what she believes in.
George Orwell 1949 1984
Genre: General Fiction
Grade level: 9-12
Summary: The character Winston Smith lives in the future. In this future, everywhere he goes, the party is watching him. This story is about a government that can always see you to prevent public rebellion. The party prevents everything, including sex, free thought, and personal expression. Winston secretly writes in his diary and rebels. He falls in love with a character named Julia and together they rebel since they are expressing emotion. In the end they are both caught and he is taken to a place called the brother hood that brainwashes him. Winston breaks and they release him. Once he is released he is completely brain washed and feels no love, not even toward Julia.
Personal Review: This story is a bit confusing to read because the author wrote it so long ago. In his time “1984” seemed like such a far time away, but it is my past. It was still a good story. It was very thrilling and dark.
Lois Lowry 1993 The Giver
Genre: General Fiction
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: Jonas lives in an alternate universe in which everything is perfect. Society is very organized by age. At every age a person changes and gets something new. Jonas is turning twelve, which means he will be assigned his job. In his community the elders assign everyone a job and they must do it for the rest of their lives. Jonas is scared because he does not know what he is good at, but he is given the job of Receiver. The receiver was to contain all emotions and feelings for everyone else. Jonas learns about love and life and wants everyone else to know what he sees. Jonas and the Giver come up with a plan for Jonas to run away, because if he runs away the memories will be spilled out for the rest of the community.
Personal Review: This was a short, easy read book. I enjoyed it because every chapter left me wondering what would happen next. The details described in the story are also really great.
J.K. Rowling 1997 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Genre: Science/Fantasy Fiction
Grade Level: 4-8
Summary: Harry is an ordinary boy that lives with his mean Aunt and Uncle. His life seems a bore until a letter arrives by an owl. His Uncle Vernon continuously ignores these letters until a giant named Hagrid comes to collect Harry. Hagrid escorts Harry to the magical world of witchcraft. Harry attends the magical school Hogwarts and slowly learns about his parents. The evil wizard Voldemort tries to return by using the sorcerer’s stone but Harry saves the day!
Personal Summary: Adventurous book that will get young kids excited to read.
Lauren DeStefano 2011 Wither
Genre: Science/Fantasy Fiction
Grade Level: 8-12
Summary: This trilogy begins with Wither. It is set place in the future when scientists have found a way to have people live longer without flaws. Although this genetic discovery is brilliant it has one big flaw! With this cure parents are bearing children that cannot live long lives! The woman die at age 20 and the men at age 25. At this time women are kidnapped at sent to men to bear more children to find this cure. In Wither Rhine is takes away and given to a very rich man who takes three wives. Rhine isn’t treated badly but she wants to return home. Her servant Gabriel falls in love with her and together they plan a way to escape.
Personal Review: This book is very new. It takes the reader into a different place and time. The world has so much technology, but it seems to be ruining nature. This book portrays that human’s cannot be perfect. By trying to be perfect they end up killing their own kind off. This was a really good read!
Linda Bleck 2006 A Children’s Treasure of Nursery Rhymes
Genre: Poetry/Nursery Rhymes
Grade Level: PreK-1
Summary: This book contains 22 different nursery rhymes. All of the nursery rhymes are short, simple and sweet. (1 page) It contains the classics such as “Hickory, Dickory, Dock”, “Jack and Jill” and many others.
Personal Review: This is a good book for toddlers because they get the kids interested and have nice elaborate pictures. The illustrations are spot on so the kid can make a connection when they see the picture.
Shel Silverstein 1974 Where the Sidewalk Ends
Genre: Poetry/ Nursery Rhymes
Grade Level:
Summary: Silverstein creates small poems that captivate his readers. His poems are humorous and to the point. Some poems are short while some are long. He also includes great illustrations that relate to the poem.
Personal Review: These poems are fun to read. They are very comical, which allows the readers to really appreciate his work. These poems keep the young kids excited about reading.
Susan Collins Thoms 2012 Noah’s Ark
Genre: Religion
Grade Level: PreK-2
Summary: This book tells the story of Noah’s Ark. Noah builds an ark and saves a pair of each animal from a flood that is coming.
Personal Review: This book has great illustration that will keep the children captivated. It is short and simple, so they children will not drift away from the reading. It is a good book.
Susie Poole 2014 Whatever is Lovely
Genre: Religion
Grade Level: PreK-1
Summary: This book describes a young boy that thinks about the bad things in the world, but then he also remembers all the good things in life. He speaks about kindness, happiness and things that are lovely.
Personal Review: This is a sweet book that reminds children about God and the wonderful things in life. It is very short and easy to read.
Dr. Miranda Macquitty 1995 Ocean
Genre: Science and Nature
Grade Level: 4-8
Summary: In this book kids discover the astonishing wildlife found in different parts of the ocean. They learn about fish, seashells, seaweed, and many other things that can be found in the ocean.
Personal Review: This book was very informational and contained great pictures for the kids. It also contains different projects that the kids can do to learn about waves.
Sarah Powell 2012 Space
Genre: Science and Nature
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: The front of the book states “For Kids Who Love Space!”, and that is exactly what this book is. It gives great descriptions of the different planets and also contains a glossary at the end.
Personal Review: My favorite part about this book is that it was completely covered with great pictures of space! The book is very colorful and captivating. While reading children will find that some words are highlighted and they can refer to the back of the book. It also contains a time line and key facts! This book was very fascinating and can also be considered informational.
Kathleen Olmstead (Homer Original) 2014 The Iliad
Genre: Classics
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: The Trojan War has been happening for the past ten years. The Achaeans are seeking revenge against the Trojans because Paris has taking Helen. This book is about the fall of Troy.
Personal Review: This book is a toned down version of the original. It is written so that young children can also learn about the story of Troy. It is an easy read.
Frances Hodgson Burnett 2010 The Secret Garden
Genre: Classics
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: Mary Lennox is orphaned and sent to live with an Uncle is England. She awakes to wailing at night and soon finds that it is a young boy. She makes friends with the staff and eventually comes upon a secret garden where she then likes to go play.
Personal Review: This book is a great read because it describes young children that escape reality by going into this mystical garden. In this garden they are allowed to be free away from troubles.
Ariel Evans
1. Grimes, N. (1997) Wild, wild hair. Cartwhell. Paperback.
Genre: General Fiction (Multicultural)
Grade Level: PreK-3
Summary: Tisa dreads Monday mornings because she has to get her long thick hair combed and braided by her mother. Tisa runs and hides to only be found behind the staircase every single time. She always puts up a fuss and fight but in the end her long think hair is braided into beautiful locs and Tisa is more than pleased despite of the struggle!
Personal Review: I absolutely love this book! It has been my favorite book since childhood because the author accurately portrays the struggles of being a girl and the dreaded experience of getting her hair combed. I am able to empathize with Tisa because I have literally felt her pain with all of the tugging and pulling that is done in order to achieve a beautiful hair style!
2. Ahlberg, A. & Alberg, J. (1986) Each Peach Pear Plum. Puffin. Paperback.
Genre: Poetry and Rhythmic
Grade Level: PreK-2
Summary: This interactive book is full of familiar Nursery Rhymes from Little Bo Peep, to Jack and Jill, The Three Little Bears and many more. As students read this book they are invited to go on an “I SPY” game as they search through the vivid illustrations of these characters.
Personal Review: This is fun book is yet another from my childhood! I highly recommend it to teachers as it has rhyming and is very poetic in which I think will help students with fluency and also phonemic awareness.
3. Lubar, D. (2009) My Rotten Life (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie #1). Starscape. Paperback.
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade Level: 3-7
Summary: It all began on a terrible day; Nathan a ten-year-old boy had had enough and was desperate for a change. On a walk home with his best friend Mookie, Nathan was confronted by a girl named Abigail that wanted to help him but offering him a potion called Hurt Be Gone. A freak accident occurred and as a result, Nathan’s organs and limbs were dying resulting in him turning into a zombie. This follows Nathan and his friends’ adventures and struggles and he tries to become human again!
Personal Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book to the point of not wanting to put it down. This book made me laugh and almost cry as I was able to Nathan and his friends’ experiences. I think a lot of students will be able to relate to the events that occurred in this book and I believe they will enjoy it just as I did. If I had the time, I would continue to read the books in this series just to see what happens with Nathan, Mookie and Abbigail!
4. London, J. (2008) Call of the Wild. Puffin Classics. Paperback.
Genre: Speculative fiction
Grade Level: 3 and up
Summary: Buck, a friendly family that was trained to trust and obey humans was kidnapped by the family’s gardener and sold to a group of men that physically abused him as he lived in harsh conditions and was starved. This book documents Buck’s hardship, malnutrition and abuse as many events begin to transform this friendly family dog to a wild, aggressive pack leader of a dogsled team. This leaves Buck with the decision to remain in the wild or go back to a sophisticated lifestyle and lavish life of a family dag.
Personal Review: I enjoyed how the author used personification to depict how situations in life can take a turn for the worse and how unfortunate events and the overall events from our past can shape who we are. Also, I believe the author accurately portrayed the transformation one goes through as a result of circumstances, thus leaving us at a crossroads. I highly recommend this book as I was engaged from beginning to end.
5. Moody, A. (1968). Coming of Age in Mississippi. Bentam Dell. Paperback.
Genre: Autobiography
Grade Level: 7 and up
Summary: Anne Moody gives a detailed account on her personal story as she grew up as an African American female of the rural South in Mississippi in the 1940s and 50s. This book gives insight to historic events such as the Woolsworth sit-ins in the 1960s as well as the assassination of Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers.
Personal Review: As an African American, Anne Moody’s experiences depicted in this book have heightened my sense of gratitude for those that have gone on before me. She gives such detail and literally paints a clear picture that is historically accurate and also heartbreaking. I enjoyed this book as it made me mad, sad and even laugh, in the end it simply adds on to the appreciation I have for history as a whole but even more, African American History as it directly affects my personal history.
6. Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. Dell Yarling. Paperback.
Genre: Satire
Grade Level: 3-7
Summary: Poor unlucky Stanley Yelnats, he is a boy under an ancient family curse that began with his “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather.” This book chronicles Stanley’s misfortune as he is falsely accused of stealing an autographed pair of baseball cleats from an orphanage and is sent off to an all-boys camp called Camp Green Lake, where the boys dig holes all day in the hot sun to “build character” and help them learn from their mistakes, not knowing that they are actually digging for treasure that the warden thinks belongs to her family but actually belongs to Stanley’s.
Personal Review: This book is the first book I read that had a movie come out after I read it. I absolutely loved this book as the friendship between Stanley Yelnats and Hector Zeroni “Zero” uncovered their family historical connections that resulted in the breaking of the Yelnats family curse.
7. Schachner, J. (2011). Skippyjon Jones, Class Action. Dutton Juvenile. Hardcover.
Genre: Adventure
Grade Level: Preschool and up
Summary: Skippyjon Jones, a Siamese cat wants to go to school. The problem is, school is for dogs only and is a place for them to get trained. Skippy is so determined to go to school that imagines himself playing at school with all kinds of dogs, beagles, poodles and even Chihuahuas. Skippy ends up saving the day after a bully tries to scare of the dogs, resulting in Skippy earning a gold star.
Personal Review: This book was very entertaining and confusing at some points especially with the mix of English, Spanish and made up Spanish words. All in all this is a great fun book that will make students of all ages giggle.
8. Lowry, L. (1989). Number the Stars.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: This book is about a ten year old girl named Annemarie and her best friend Ellen who lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1943. They both often think about how their lives were before the war. Their daily lives now consist of school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. As the Jews are being "relocated," Ellen moves in with Annemarie's family as she pretends to be her older sister, which causes her life to be even more in danger.
Personal Reflection: I really enjoyed reading this book. I like how this book worked to place the reader in the shoes of a young girl during the time of the Holocaust. This book has historical relevance, yet maintains a pull on the reader’s emotions and experiences. I believe this is a relatable book that many younger readers will defiantly enjoy.
9. Geisel, T. (1957) How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Hardcover.
Genre: Comedy and Humor
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: The Grinch, who is anti-Christmas plots to ruin the Christmas of every Who in Who-ville. To his surprise, he does not have control over Christmas because it comes no matter what!
Personal Reflection: As a child and even now as an adult, I enjoy this Dr. Suess classic. It is one of my favorite books to read during the holidays. It is enjoyable to read a Christmas book that is not about Santa, but rather the anti-Santa that has a change of heart. The ease of reading allows for all ages to enjoy this book.
Kimberly Ellis
Sachar, L. (2004) Sideways stories from Wayside School. Harpercollins. Paperback.
Genre: Children's Fiction
Grade Level: k-5
Summary: The Wayside School was designed to be one story with thirty classrooms. The builders accidentally made the school thirty stories high with one classroom on each floor. "They said they were sorry." Each short chapter in the book tells a short story designed around a specific student in the classroom. The chapters are titled with their names. In the opening chapter the teacher turns all the children who misbehave into apples. She begins to collect them on her desk. The students finally get revenge when they turn her into an apple as well. The author shares the personal thoughts of the students in this sideways school. As one student has the strong desire to pull another student's pig-tails. This book is a whirl of fun for young students.
Personal Review: I thought this book was short, simple, and silly. I enjoyed reading the funny situations these students were put in. The book is purely for entertainment. I suggest educators whip it out in-between lessons. As a substitute, I did this to pass a few minutes, and the kids loved it. Just getting from P.E. and waiting for lunch, I was able to hold their attention with the humorous stories. Although I was worried, about 5th graders finding the book to be too immature for them, I was proved wrong! They insisted I read another chapter to them before the day was over. I even left a not for the teacher explaining how much they loved the book.
Delessert Etienne Humpty Dumpty
Book Type: Nursery Rhyme Fiction
Summary: The famous story of Humpty Dumpty is extended in a way young children would have never imagined. The book provides great detail on Humpty’s journey.
Persoal View: I have always loved those “what really happened” books. I think the title will definitely interest young readers. The images throughout the book really create the visual image of the story.
Zusak, Markus.(2007) The book thief. Alfred A. Knopf
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 7 and up
Age Level: 13 and up
Awards: The #1 New York Times Bestseller
Summary: The setting of the book is in Germany during World War II. A young girl by the name of Leisel is given to a foster family, where her new father teaches her to read. Once she learns to read she begins to steal books, and read every chance she gets. She even develops a close relationship with the mayor's wife, who allows her to read many books. The family is also hiding a Jew by the name of Max, who Leisel becomes close too, and reads with. The youthful romance, and dramatic story of Leisel comes to a sudden end when she loses everything.
Personal Review: From the moment I picked up this book, I could not put it down. The story is narrated by death, and reveals a harsh reality. I loved that the story told of the intense punishment of the Nazi Germany in a way that wasn't simply presenting facts. I don't feel that the book should be listed as "young adult." I think any individual of mature age would appreciate the visual this book creates. This is one story I can say was much more enjoyed through reading, rather than watching the movie. This book definitely does not have the fairytale ending!
Mckissack. Patricia. Goin’ someplace special
Book type: Historical Fiction
Grade Level: 1st- 5th
Age range: 7- 11
Summary: The story setting is a few years after the civil rights movements. Although the slaves were now free, much segregation was still being practiced. The main character is a young girl who is on a journey to reach a place she feels is special. She encounters many rejections due to Jim Crow laws along her way. Finally, she reaches the only place where everyone is accepted… the library.
Personal Review: I am glad the library ended up being the special place that they young girl felt safe. Although, the circumstances she faces throughout the story are unfortunate, she was able to find peace in books. I think this is a less harsh way to touch on the struggles African Americans have overcome over the years; without being to vulgar with younger children. Definitely a great book to have in the public school classrooms!
Mora, Pat Book fiesta. Rayo; Bilingual edition (March 10, 2009)
Book Type: Cultural Fiction
Grade Level: Pre k – 2
Age Range: 4-8
Summary: This is a bilingual book that celebrates the day of the child. Mexico celebrates this holiday on Aril 30th. All the text is provided in both English and Spanish. Throughout the story children are reading books, while riding elephants, at the library, and even reading to puppies. The purpose of the story is to motivate all children to read, no matter what they are doing, or what the language, and cultural traditions are.
Personal Review: I used this book with a child who was enrolled in ECDC, which is a dual language school. I really was amazed at how well she was able to go back and forward between the English and Spanish text. I think this book is great for also introducing a new language. The pictures provide great context clues to also acquire new vocabulary. English as a second language students’ are a popular minority in our local school district; having such text will ensure everyone can develop literacy skills in the classroom.
Lasky Kathryn. The Librarian who measured the Earth
Book Type: Cultural Fiction
Grade Level: 4th – 8th
Summary: This book follows a young curious boy named Eratosthenes, on his journey through life in Greek. His deep interest for Earth, lead him to calculate the first accurate measurements of the planet. The book introduces many historic inventors, and new vocabulary. The original origins of commonly used words, as well as numerous Greek vocabularies are included. Eratosthenes is credited with inventing the discipline of geography.
Personal Review: I really like biographies for children. Rather than a typical history biography, that only states facts; this book is very child friendly. Adjectives used to describe Eratosthenes, really motivate children to ask questions. The author does a great job of placing emphasis on how curiosity leads to success.
Jenkins Steve. Actual size. (2011). HMH Books for Young Readers;
Book Type: Picture Book Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 1-5
Age Range: 4-8
Summary: This book included multiple images of the actual of many different animals. Although there is some text provided, the majority of the book is directed toward the pictures. Interesting facts on each animal are also given. The beautiful illustrations are very engaging for young readers.
Personal Review: I really enjoyed using this book to create visuals with students. The fold out pages are very interactive for young children. The kids loved placing their hand against the gorilla hand and comparing sizes. Most students are amazed by the giant squid eye!
I’m the biggest thing in the ocean
Book Type: Picture Book Fiction
Grade Level: Pre-k – 1st
Summary: This limited text picture book is great for toddlers. Adults can easily engage young children by asking image related questions. I.e.: “what animal is this?; Which animal is bigger?” A valuable lesson of comparisons can be taught through this book.
Personal Review: The colorful illustrations really keep my 2 year old son’s attention throughout the book. I love that the author allows the reader to determine the ending. The last few pages have no words, and just pictures. This is great for making predictions, and teaching early literacy skills.
Jenkins steve. Never smile at a monkey
Book Type: children’s Non-Fiction
Summary: Like all Steve Jenkins books the illustrations of the animals are beautiful. The book shares with readers what to NEVER do, when encountering certain animals. The author then tells readers why the warnings are for their own safety. This is a fun way of sharing facts about animals with children.
Personal Review: My favorite image is the illustration of the monkey! The eyes are so compelling and usually scare most children at first sight. Many of my students were so entertained by the book, they begged their parents to take them to a zoo.
Farmer Jacqueline. Bananas!
Book Type: Children’s Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 4th – 7th
Summary: This book is filled with random facts about the fruit banana. Along with the facts, are great illustrations. Who would have known there were originally many different names for a banana. The book tells the history of the banana, and shares nutritious facts. The method of growing bananas and shipping them to our local grocery stores are all included.
Personal Review: I chose this book because the banana is my son’s favorite fruit. I personally found the procedures on keeping a banana cold interesting. I think many of the facts will be new to both children and adults. This is a great book for activating background knowledge, and obtaining new knowledge and vocabulary. In addition to all the great facts, the end of the book offers many jokes about bananas as well.
Morales yuyi. Just in case.
Genre: Children’s Mystery
Grade Level 3-6
Summary: Multiple Spanish vocabulary are used to express the ghost thoughts throughout this journey. They mystery seems quite spooky with the main character being a skeleton, and grandma a beetle. Throughout the adventure of finding his grandmas present, the text also introduces readers to the Spanish alphabet.
Personal Review: I really liked that the author starts the characters thoughts with “I wonder.” I think this helps to create predictions with young students. The readers are able to confirm their predictions with each turn of the page. The ending of the story is very surprising!
Howe, J. (2006) The celery stalks at midnight. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Children's Mystery
Grade Level: 3-7
Age Range: 8-13
Summary:The main three characters in the story are two dogs and a cat. The story is told from a dogs point of view (Howie). Howie and the other animals are convinced that their owners pet bunny has run away. Not only do they believe he has run away, but also that he is a vampire. They are on a mission to find him before he attacks others in the neighborhood. They encounter many mishaps on their journey, all to find out the bunny has been safe and sound the whole time. The family is curious of the dogs strange behavior, and finally reveal what has been going on at the end.
Personal Review: The story is hilarious! The missing rabbit is believed to be a vampire, all while eating vegetables. The vegetarian vampire does not have much of a role in the book, besides being chased. I would of liked maybe an interaction or two with the bunny and dogs besides just the ending. I also think with such an animated text, more illustrations would have helped to visualize the story. The book is overall a fun and quick read, I think children would definitional enjoy. The youthful mystery story is different, and compelling.
Adler David. How tall how short how far away. Holiday House.
Book Type: Mathematical Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 2nd – 5th
Summary: The development of the metric system is shared in a way that is understandable for children. Comprehension questions are asked throughout the text to further the readers understanding. Activities to introduce students to measuring and conversions are also included toward the end of the text.
Personal Review: I really liked that the book makes historic measurements relate to today. The text asks the reader to attempt measuring someone’s height with their fingertips; as it was done in ancient Egypt. I’m sure students will find this difficult, and appreciate our current metric system even more.
Danielle Ramirez
1.)
Title: Hutchins, Hazel. (2004) A second is a Hiccup, New York, NY; Author Livine Books.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade Level or (Ages): Primary
Awards: Booklist Editors' Choice 2007, CCBC Choices 2008
Summary: This book is about time. The author incorporates a second, minute, hour, day, week and a year into this story. The author includes these items in a fun and rhyming way. The story starts off with the child asking the mother how long is a second. From then on the mother goes deep into depth explaining the differences in time, weeks and even years. It’s a book that includes relatable facts.
Personal Review: I enjoyed this book because not only is it fun to read, it also allows children to relate because the mother brings in examples of time, for example “A second is a Hiccup.” Another thing that caught my eye is considering if the students are studying and learning about the time differences between a minute and an hour, this could be a resource book to use to make the lesson more enjoyable.
2.)
Title: Curtis, Jamie Lee. (2010) My Mommy Hung the Moon, New York, NY; Joanna Colter Books.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade Level or (Ages): Primary
Summary: This is a story about a child who is aware of how wonderful his mother is, so wonderful that he has to recite each thing that makes her the amazing mother that she is. All of her accomplishments and achievements are admired and acknowledged by the loving child.
Personal Review: I chose this book because it is a great way to get children actively involved in conversation. Students can bring in prior knowledge with this book or can do a short writing response towards how they can relate with the book.
3.)
Title: Hedlund, Stephanie F. (2011) Bedtime with Mother Goose, Edina, Minnesota; Magic Wagon.
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level or (Ages): pre-k -4th
Summary: This is a mixture of classic bedtime nursery rhymes. This book has up to fourteen different poems and riddles that will date back to the 80’s.
Personal Review: I chose this book because once I started to read a few poems I couldn’t stop reading. This book could be very useful in the classroom because it could be used to help build fluency and word recognition. Many Pillar activities and lessons can come from this book alone.
4.)
Title: Eagle, Kin. (2001) Humpty Dumpty, Gareth Stevens Publishing.
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level or (Age): 5-8
Summary: This book is also a mixture of twelve classic nursery rhymes and poems. These nursery rhymes date far back also.
Personal Review: This book is awesome towards helping students build fluency. This will get the students smiling and reading along. This could also encourage students to write their own silly poems. You could also do a readers theatre will this book.
5.)
Title: Levert, Mireille. (2000) Goldilocks and the Three Bears, New York, NY; Golden Books.
Genre: Fantasy
Grade level or (Age): 7-10
Summary: This is Story about a family of beards who live in the woods. Each Character is deeply described. Once the family is introduced, they decide to take a family walk. During this time, a young girl named Goldilocks comes strolling along with the findings of the house. She soon tries out each characters items. She then soon becomes quickly tired and decides to take a nap in the baby bears bed. When the family of bears return they notice there home has been intervened. Once they find the young lady asleep in the baby bear’s bead, she quickly runs away. The three bears never saw her again.
Personal Review: I love this book because I remember learning how to read this book when I was younger. This book I feel could be used in many ways for students. In this book, the characters are deeply described. The students could focus on noticing important characteristics and the information behind them.
6.)
Title: Grim, Brothers (2011) Little Red Riding Hood. Harper Collins
Genre: fantasy
Grade Level: 1st-3rd
Summary: This is a story about a little girl who goes to visit her sick grandmother. On the way she runs into a wolf, the wolf tricks her into taking the other path to get to her grandmothers quicker. By the time the young girl arrives to the house, the wolf had already tricked the grandmother and ate her. His next task was to trick the girl and eat her. As she walks in thinking it was her grandmother she soon gets tricked into getting to close and ends up getting eaten.
Personal reflection: Although this is a different ending then the stories you here in schools, this is a classic old story where animals are like people and trick others. The moral of this story is to not talk to strangers. Although this is the book I checked out, I would have preferably rather read the newer version of the little red riding hood with students, with the alternative ending of them living happily ever after.
7.)
Title: Martin, Bill Carle, Eric. (1866) Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What do you see, New York, NY; Henry Holt and Company.
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level or (Age): k-3rd
Summary: This is a passage where the pictures tell the story. The Mama Bear is asking her Baby Bear what she can see in sight. The Baby Bear then names the animal in sight then asks that animal what is in their sight and so on. This Continues on until one animal spots the Mama Bear and it made a full circle.
Personal Review: This is a picture book so the book doesn’t have a climax or plot but it is amusing to children and is a good book to start building on their phonics.
8.)
Title: Carle, Eric. (1969) The Very Hungry Caterpillar, New York, NY; Philomel Books.
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level or (Age): K-2nd
Awards: New York Times Ten Best Picture Books of the Year, American Institute of Graphic Arts award, Best Children's Books of England, Selection du Grand Prix des Treize, France, Brooklyn Museum Art Books for Children, Nakamori Reader's Prize, Japan.
Summary: This is a story about a very hungry caterpillar. He was born and then immediately started eating. He finished but then realized that he was still hungry, so after eating numerous amounts of food he built himself a cocoon. After resting for more than two weeks he finally comes out of his place of rest and turns into a beautiful butterfly.
Personal Review: This is a book that I remember reading when I was younger. This is a great book for beginning readers, because the pictures also tell the story. Context clues could be used if child or student is having trouble reading.
9.)
Title: Mara, Wil. (2002) Abraham Lincoln, Canada; Children’s Press.
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 1st and up
Summary: This a short biography about the United States first president. The Book starts off with a little bit of history on Abraham Lincoln’s childhood then continues with his life accomplishments. He was known as “Honest Abe,” and signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaved. He then was shot by Booth then died the next day. He is remembered till this day.
Personal Review: This is a good short biography about our first president. There are some interesting facts in the book about Abe that I wasn’t even aware of. Also at the end of the book gives a reflection of the vocabulary words.
10.)
Title: Mcleese, Don. (2003) Martin Luther King, JR. Equal Rights Leader; Vero Beach , Florida, Rourke Publishing.
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 1st and Up
Summary: This is a short biography about Martin Luther King, JR. It first starts of about the civil rights and how Martin believed in equality. It then goes on to talk about his past and how he met his wife and chose to become a minister. It leads up to the “I Have a Dream” speech and then ends with how he passed away but how he is remembered on. In memory of this great speaker we celebrate the life and his work on his birthday, it is known as a national holiday.
Personal review: This is a short biography about a man who had a dream, Marin Luther King, JR. This is similar to the biography of Abe Lincoln because both books carry a lot of interesting information but it is also easy to read. These books could be easily turned into lessons and or a vocabulary lesson.
11.) Dr. Seuss. (1970) Mr. Brown can moo! Can You? New York, Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade level or (Age): k-2nd
Summary: This is a book about Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown has many talents such as making noises come from his mouth that others cannot do. The list of sounds continue on and towards the end it gives you all the words that Mr. Brown can say and then asks you if you can say them as well.
Personal Review: This is a great book to build fluency and work with rhyming words. This book also has a lot of nonsense words so it’s good practice and can gets students mouths ready by starting off with rhyming and working their way towards other words. This book is also catchy and made me laugh so I would recommend this book if fluency building was needed.
12.)
Title: Dr. Seuss (1993) Fox in Socks, New York; Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade level or (age): 3-7
Summary: This is a rhyming story about Mr. Socks Fox who gives everyone a hard time about saying riddles correctly. There is a lot of nonsense words and rhyming.
Personal Review: Dr. Seuss has many different types of book but most if not all have some type rhythmic sound to it. These books are great to build fluency and work on nonsense words.
13.) Yasuda, Anita. (2013) Dino Detectives: Ghost sounds, North Mankato, Minnesota; Stone Ark Books.
Genre: Mystery
Grade Level or (Age): 2nd
Summary: This is a story about the young Dino Detectives solving the ghost sounding mystery. They Lay out some booby traps and wait for the sounds to strike again. When they realize that it was only their brother they are relieved.
Persona Review: This is a mystery book that you can stop with students in the middle of the story and ask them to make predictions. This is a good critical thinking skill that will make students wonder and discuss with others. I feel as if mystery books keep students interests a lot more, especially if you make it an investigation for them.
14.)
Title: Yasuda, Anita. (2013) Dino Detectives: The Missing Trumpet, North Mankato, Minnesota; Stone Ark Books.
Genre: Mystery
Grade level or (age): 2nd
Summary: This is a story about the young Dino Detectives solving the mystery of the missing trumpet. The Dino’s are about to attend their band concert when all of a sudden, the trumpet goes missing. With team work and their detective skills, they find out that it was his own sister who stole his trumpet.
Personal Review: This is a mystery book that you can also stop with the students in the middle of the story and ask them to make predictions towards what happened with the trumpet. This is a good critical thinking activity that could be turned into a writing response. I have read over five Dino Detective books just because they are so interesting and mysterious and I think students would love this book.
15.)
Title: Page, Robin Jenkins, Steve. (2013) What Animals Do on day One: My first day, Boston, New York; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Grade Level or (ages): 4-8
Summary: This is a book about how twenty different new born animals develop once they are born. Although it contains hard facts, the book gives you the information in a kind and easy way to better understand without specific higher level vocabulary.
Personal Reflection: This book contains a lot of information but presents it in a fun easy way. I think for students it would be an easy read and a good way to introduce animals and adaptation.
16.)
Title: Eastland, Chris Bleiman, Andrew. (2010) Zoo Borns; zoo babies from around the world, New York; Beach Lane Books.
Genre: Animal Non-Fiction
Grade Level or (age): preschool- 1st
Summary: This is a book about 17 different types of animals that grow up in the zoo. Although it gives you specific facts and details it is presented in an easy way.
Personal Reflection: This is a great book to introduce students to the different types of animals that we don’t see every day out and about. Information is also included in here about where they would live if they didn’t live in the school and how there species are maintaining without them. Good information that could be turned into a lesson.
17.)
Title: Silverstien, Shel. (1964) The Giving tree, Harper and Row
Genre: Fable
Grade level or (Age): k-2nd
Summary: This is a story about a love between a tree and a boy. They shared a great bond and the tree would give and give to the boy whatever he needed or what the tree had to give. As the boy got older the less he would visit, soon the tree gave the boy everything that the tree had, and as this happened the tree was still happy regardless of the fact that she gave every part of her. If the boy was happy she was happy.
Personal reflection: This is a great story, it is sad that this book is no longer aloud in schools but I will read this book to my children as my mother read it to me. Overall great book, a little sad but still a classic.
18.)
Title: Pinkney, Jerry. (2009) The lion and the Mouse, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Fable
Grade Level or (age): 1st-3rd
Awards: Caldecott Medal Winner
Summary: This is a story about a lion and a mouse. The Lion and the mouse had a hesitant relationship at first, but as the lion allowed the mouse his life the mouse informed the lion that one day he will repay the lion. As the story continues the mouse has the opportunity to pay his debt and he does. As the mouse says that the lion will never have to bring this up considering his strength is what he is known for, the lion praises him and informs the mouse that he is forever in his debt.
Personal Review: This is a very well developed book. I really enjoyed this because it gets the point across that you should never underestimate someone regardless of size or matter. “Big things come in small packages” is my motto. This story in my opinion gives a moral ended and I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend this book.
Corina Rodriguez
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!Seuss, Dr (1990) Oh, the Place You’ll Go. New York. Random House Children’s Books.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level: PreK-4
Summary: The quote "Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed. (983⁄4% guaranteed.)" was used in my principals HS graduation speech. A book about the things you might encounter in your life as you grow up and how you should follow your dreams.
Personal Review: One of my favorite children's books. One of those reads that is applicable at age 5 and age 18. I remember having my senior English teacher read this to us on our last day of school as a sort of encouragement.
Green Eggs and Ham
Seuss, Dr (1960) Green Eggs and Ham. United States. Random House Children’s Books.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level: PreK-4
Summary: This book is about Sam-I-Am constantly asking an unnamed character to eat green eggs and ham. Finally however Sam-I-Am's friend tries the green eggs and ham and LOVES them and vows to eat them everywhere and in every place.
Personal Review: This would be a great book for fluency. The students can find an easy rhythmic pattern to follow and build not just fluency but accuracy and speed as well.
The Tickle Tree
Strathie, C (2012) The Tickle Tree. Parragon Books
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2-6 years
Summary: Asks the reader questions throughout the book while also telling a story, definitely revolves around imagination. By the end of the book the reader knows that through their dreams they can be anywhere and do anything.
Personal Review: Amazing illustrations and great for working with children on imagination. My cousins ask us to read this book to the so much that the book is finally showing some wear and tear, definitely a great family/bed-time read.
April the Red Goldfish
Leray, Marjolaine, and Sarah Ardizzone.(2014) April the Red Goldfish. N.p.: Phoenix Yard
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 6+
Summary: April doesn't like being a RED goldfish, she's a teenager that's bored in her tank and always dreaming up adventures she'd like to take while also thinking of life's "bigger" questions. Not exactly for very young children, more closer to pre-teens.
Personal Review: I loved this book. I thought it was nice because goldfish are usually portrayed as the most meaningless pets but here April is much more than that. I really feel like this would be a great read for older kids feeling a little uncomfortable in their place in the world.
The tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
DiCamillo, Kate. The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2003. Print.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: This is about a mouse in love with a princess named Pea, and stories/music. Also a story about a rat named Roscuro, and a maid Miggery Sow who is a little slow. These three go on an adventure that takes them to many places. Each character is a different part of the book and all come together in the last and final part, the 4th
Personal review: there is a lot of realism I found in this book and lots of character contrast. Despereaux and Roscuro experiences similar things yet react completely different. It was also nice to see the 3 different characters separately than all together for the most part, if that even makes sense. I really enjoyed Miggery Sows part in the book as sad as it was to imagine.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type
Cronin, D (2000) Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type. New York. Simon & Schuster
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Grade Level (or Ages): 2-8 years
Summary: A short story about Farmer Brown's cows that write him notes on a typewriter because they would like electric blankets. When Farmer Brown won't comply the cows bring in the chickens and make an arrangement with Farmer Brown that they will give the typewriter back in exchange for the blankets. In the end, the cows do give the typewriter back but the duck then begins asking for a diving board and so the cycle begins again.
Personal Review: I always enjoy reading this to students and it's great for their fluency and for a readers theatre. There are a lot of extension activities you could create using this book which would be great for a classroom since teachers are always looking to stretch a dollar so why not get more uses out of it than just reading.
Silly Milly
Lewison, Wendy Cheyette. Silly Milly. Cartwheel Books, 2010. Print.
Grade: K-2
Genre: Riddles, Poetry and Rhymes
Summary: Rhyming book for young readers, and old alike. Easy to follow and poetry is always good for fluency. About a girl that likes one thing, but not the other and in the end you find out why. She likes double letters!!
Personal review:
I've read this to my cousins many a time because they love it so much. Such a cute book and the ending really brings it together completely for a great "AHA!" moment. Kids will love this book.
The Grapes of Math
Tang, Greg, and Harry Briggs. The Grapes of Math: Mind Stretching Math Riddles. New York: Scholastic, 2001. Print.
Genre: Riddle, poetry, and rhymes
Grade level: Any!
Summary: Greg Tang writes techniques that helped him solve math problems in really interesting and kid friendly ways. The illustrations are just as good! An example of a technique is
"How many grapes are on the vine?
Counting each takes too much time.
Never Fear, I have a hunch
There is a match for every bunch!
Personal Review: I'm very good at math, but the way he describes these techniques would have been perfect for me when I was younger and actually struggling. I will definitely be buying this book for my classrooms personal library and will use these techniques in my classroom to help the students that maybe learn a little outside of the box. Such an awesome way to help kids with math.
Kick, Pass and Run
Kessler, Leonard. Kick, Pass and Run. HarperCollins, 1996.
Grades: K-2
Genre: Sports
Summary: About some animals that think they find an "egg" but turns out its a boy's football that he and his dad are playing with. The animals are introduced to the game of football and learn the basics of the sport. Great read for young kids.
Personal review: The most perfect read for any boy or girl interested in football or just have a love of sports. I grew up having to watch football with my parents and never even knew what was going on, I wish I had read this book then so I could have enjoyed the "family time" more!
Miss Nelson has a Field Day
Allard, Harry, and James Marshall. Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. Print.
Grades: Pre K- 3rd
Genre: Sports
Summary: Horace B. Smedley School has a losing football and nothing seems to help them get a win until Miss Viola Swamp appears and gets the team back on their feet just in time for Thanksgiving.
I LOVED field day when I was in primary and elementary school and I think this would be the most perfect addition to any teacher classroom library if their school participates in a field day. Very well written and enjoyable book.
Bunnicula
Howe, James, Deborah Howe, and Mondadori,. Bunnicula. Milano: Mondadori, 1989. Print.
Grades: 3-5
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Two boys, Pete and Toby, return from the movies one night with a small bunny they found with a note tied around its neck in ancient dialect. A little time goes by and the family notices strange things happening to all of their vegetables and there appears to be 2 tiny fang marks. The cat assumes that the rabbit is actually a vampire and Chester goes through hoops basically to prove this to everyone and even trying to kill the rabbit with a meat steak. Chester is diagnosed with cat therapy and Bunnicula is put on an all veggie/liquid diet. The white veggies stop turning up and the family assumes it was a vegetable blight and continue living blissfully without knowing the truth.
Personal review: I loved it because it was written from the dogs point of view and there are a lot of connections that students can make throughout the story. Great for students that like reading about animals.
Sideways stories from Wayside School.
Sachar, Louis, and Julie Brinckloe. Sideways Stories from Wayside School. New York, NY: Avon, 1985. Print.
Genre: Children's Fiction
Grade Level: k-5
Summary:
Wayside was supposed to be like a normal school with one story and 30 classrooms but there was a mix-up and was created instead with 30 stories and 1 classroom on each story. Each chapter is a different story about a different student. The teacher actually turns her students into apples that she keeps on her desk and then she herself is turned into an apple. Every chapter is varying so the student shouldn't get bored reading this.
Personal Review: I remember reading this story in 5th grade and for some reason I didn't like it too much then, but rereading it now I love it. The stories are very silly and entertaining. This would be a good thing to keep on hand if you're trying to pass time because the stories are so short.
The City of Ember
DuPrau, Jeanne. The City of Ember. New York: Random House, 2003. Print.
Genre: Sci-fi
Grade level: 6-8
Summary: The "Builders" create an underground city for people to survive for the next 200 years because earth is dangerous and apparently uninhabitable. The builders give the first mayor a locked box that is passed down to each new mayor and is set to open after 200 years and gives instructions on how to go back to the surface. One mayor tries to break the box open but fails and dies without passing the box down to the next mayor and no one knows why it's so important. almost 200+ years go by and everyone is running out of supplies and the generator is breaking down. Lina the main character comes across the instructions but they are ruined and ripped. She and Doon try to decipher it and realize this is how they will get out of the city. They go on a journey and reach the outside world never even knowing they were ever living underground. The send the note back down to Ember hoping someone finds it and leads everyone back.
Personal review: I read this in 5th grade and loved it. I found myself trying to decipher the note before Lina did just so I could feel proud of myself or something I suppose. This is a really great sci-fi read for girls, and maybe boys. I just found out there was a sequel but probably won't read it. I think they also tried developing a movie after this book.
Artemis Fowl
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl. New York: Miramax /Hyperion for Children, 2003. Print
Genre: Sci-fi
Grade Level: 6-9th
Summary: Artemis is a millionaire and a young criminal and he is only 12, not to mention a genius. He is on the hunt for a Fairy holy book written in Gnome. He is basically being hunted the Holly Short who is part of the police and ends up using up her magic capturing a troll. Artemis is also trying to perform the ritual that requires random acorns under certain specifications. Artemis asks Holly to cure his mothers insanity, and also is able to live through a "Blue Rinse" due to sleeping pills. He says he got the idea from old fairy tales.
Personal Review: I read this book when I was younger and hated it. I thought it was a "Boy" book. But looking back, I would enjoy it now probably. Good book for young adult that like suspense and fantasy all in one. Also plenty of books in the series to keep students entertained.
Coraline
Gaiman, Neil, and Dave McKean. Coraline. New York: HarperCollins, 2002. Print.
Genre: Horror
Grade level: 6-8
Summary: Coraline lives with her parents but they are very distant and don't really pay attention to her. Despite what others tell her she goes through a mysterious door leading to a hallway that leads her to an alternate universe like hers except here everyone has buttons for eyes. In this world everything is how she wishes it to be, until it's not. Her other mother is actually evil and wants to replace Coralines eyes with buttons as well. Through triumph and help from her other world friends Coraline defeats the other mother and saves her parents.
Personal review: This book gave me nightmares when I read it. Seriously. It was the creepiest thing I had read and this was made all the worse when they made a movie version of it and I could finally see what the characters were supposed to look like. I loved this book and have reread it multiple times, but I would not recommend for children that are easily scared.
The witches
Dahl, Roald, and Quentin Blake. The Witches. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1983. Print.
Genre: Definitely Horror, seriously.
Grade level: 3-5, but in my opinion any age!
Summary: Grandmamma tells a boy about all the evil witches that exist that like to kill children. She warns him that English witches are the worst ones of all especially The Grand Witch. He is enticed by a witch while working on his tree house but knows better than to come down. The grandma and boy go on ordered vacation to a hotel where he finds pet mice. Oddly enough the "Royal society for the prevention of cruelty to children" is also at the hotel, and of course they're witches in disguise! Here they plot to rid the world of children by poisoning them with chocolate. The boy ends up poisoning the witches instead and they all turn to mice the hotel panics and kills The grand high witch because she becomes a mouse.
Personal Review: The book wasn't so bad growing up. The movie however....nightmares. All I dreamt about for at least a few years were bald old women coming to kill me. Seriously. The book is amazing, but I still cannot watch the movie all the way through without freaking out. Is that weird?
Pete the Cat
Dean, Kim, and James Dean. Pete the Cat: Big Easter Adventure. N.p.: HarperCollins, n.d. Print/.
Genre: Religion
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: Pete gives the Easter bunny a helping hand, he paints the eggs, hides the eggs, then receives a "#1 helper" ribbon. Very short.
Personal Review: Cute little book about Easter, very short read but great for very young kids especially during this season. That's how I came across the book actually. I found myself laughing at how the cat was drawn because he looks so dead-eyed and like he doesn't even enjoy what he's doing. Looked very sarcastic.
God gave us Easter
Bergren, Lisa Tawn., and Laura J. Bryant. God Gave Us Easter. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2012. Print.
Genre: Religion
Ages: 3-8
Summary: A young cub asks her father questions about Easter and the father explains that God has plans for all of us and tells her how Easter came to be in child friendly terms.
Personal Review: Obviously not ok for a classroom library, but I could see this somewhere in Sunday School. I thought it was very cute and well written for small children, I think it'd be great to not just read to your child but have them read to you as well if they can. Very nice bedtime story around Easter time.
Meghan LaNoue
Starlight
Title: Earhart, K. (2006). Starlight. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Realistic
Reading Level: Primary; K-2nd Grade
Summary: This book is about a little girl named Haley who is having a very hard time training her horse, Starlight. She encounters many obstacles with this horse. One night, Starlight escapes from the ranch and gets lost in the woods and Haley makes a wish to find Starlight. Her hard work eventually ends up paying off.
Personal Review: I believe this book is great for students because it is a fiction book about a realistic situation. Having a pet horse is slightly different than having a dog or cat as a pet. You have to care for it, groom it, and even train it. Starlight shows how sometimes is can take a while to train a pet and it shows that even if you feel like giving up, you need to keep working hard because it will pay off in the end.
Mrs. Toggles Zipper
Title: Pulver, R. (1990). Mrs. Toggles Zipper. New York, NY: Four Winds Press.
Genre: Fiction
Reading Level: Primary
Summary: This book is about a teacher named Mrs. Toggle who is a teacher at an Elementary School. She is wearing a fuchsia colored coat and has trouble getting the zipper to unzip because it is stuck! Her entire class and even faculty members including the principal and custodian pitch in to help Mrs. Toggle unzip the coat.
Personal Review: I love this book! I think it’s great for students because it shows that not only children need help but also adults. Even if it’s something small like helping a teacher unzip her coat. Mrs. Toggles Zipper shows students that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it; no one is perfect.
Puzzle Planet
Title: Leigh, S. (2003). Puzzle Planet. Tulsa, OK: EDC Publishing.
Genre: Thriller
Reading Level: Primary
Summary: Puzzle Planet is about a young new astronaut named Archie. Archie travels to Puzzle Plant to hopefully save space creatures. This book takes you through different puzzles before Archie is able to rescue the sea creatures. Some of the puzzles include Star Maze, Planet Puzzle, and Ice Storm.
Personal Review: This book is a fiction but it’s also a thriller that takes you through different adventures in space. Each page includes puzzles that the student has to solve in order to save the creatures. The student has to read the instructions and observe the pages to find the puzzle that has been described. Or the student may have to find a safe route for Archie to take in space. It’s a very engaging book and teaches students a lesson that not everything comes easy, you may have to work hard and overcomes “puzzles”.
Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test
Title: Rylant, C. (1991). Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Comedy
Reading Level: Primary
Summary: This book is about Henry and his dog, Mudge. Mudge is an intelligent dog but has terrible manners. Even Henry and his family notice the bad manners that come from Mudge. Henry and Mudge enroll in a training dog school so Mudge can hopefully learn some manners.
Personal Review: This book is great for students because it’s a chapter book but it’s not long like other chapter books. This would be great for children who are just starting to read chapter books. However, even though it’s a chapter book, it still shows pictures on every page. So this book is even great for younger children as well. This book also teaches students about responsibilities that come along with having a pet.
Wolves
Title: Simon, S. (1993). Wolves. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Informational
Reading Level: Primary- Elementary
Summary: This book, Wolves, is written by a Science writer who wants to teach and give information to elementary school readers about Wolves using very in depth descriptions and colorful real life pictures. The author teaches the readers through pictures and diagrams throughout the book.
Personal Review: I think this book would be a great book for students who are being introduced to using text features. This book includes a glossary and index. The words are tad bit challenging so students may need help pronouncing and understanding the meaning. But this book gives great information about Wolves and proves that wolves aren’t just bad, dangerous animals but they are a type of dog.
Sea Critters
Title: Earle, S. A. (2007). Sea Critters. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Reading Level: Primary
Summary: This book is all about the different sea critters that live under the water. It gives full descriptions of the ‘critters’ and how they move about the sea and ocean.
Personal Review: I believe that this book is great for students because it educates them on the creatures that live in places that we cannot see. This book also gives different pictures of each ‘critter’ to help the student get a better idea about what the creature really looks like. It also talks about what creatures are related to each other. It’s a great way to help students classify animals and they are able to learn in a fun way.
One Day in the Woods
Title: George, J.C. (1995). One Day in the Woods. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
Genre: Adventure
Reading Level: 4th grade
Summary: This book is about a girl named Rebecca who sets off into the woods to find a magical wizard her uncle told her about. While Rebecca is in the woods she finds magic everywhere! She sees all kinds of animals and the way they live is magical is her. The readers follow her progress of discovering secrets all through the woods.
Personal Review: This book is great for students because it covers a wide variety of subjects. It covers birds and how they live, science, animals, and their habitats. The book also talks about plants and flowers that grow in the forest. This books also covers real things but in a fictional way to help keep the students interested in the text.
Hop on Pop
Title: Seuss, Dr. (1963). Hop on Pop. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.
Genre: Rhyming
Reading Level: Beginner
Summary: This book an opener for young children who are learning rhyming words and how to rhyme. Once they recognize one word, they soon then to find out than changing the first letter of another word rhymes with it.
Personal Review: This book is great for young children learning how to rhyme. Some rhyming words include; hop and pop, cup and pup, mouse and house, and even tall and small. Not only are children learning rhyming words they are also learning vocabulary and what the words exactly means. This is where the pictures come into play, they can use context clues and the pictures to distinguish what the words mean.
The Little Mermaid
Title: Fairy Tale Classic. (1998). The Little Mermaid Storybook. Ashland, OH: Landoll, Inc.
Genre: Fairy Tale
Reading Level: Beginner
Summary: This book is about a mermaid named Ariel. Ariel is very dissatisfied with living in the sea as a mermaid. She wants to explore life on land. Her father, King Triton, forbids Ariel to explore the land. Ariel ends up meeting with Ursula, the Sea Witch. But little does Ariel know, Ursula has other plans for her and her father.
Personal Review: Of course this fairytale has been around for years and years. But this book is a short storybook of The Little Mermaid. It’s perfect for beginner readers because each page only contains a few sentences. This book is great because it also contains pictures on every page so a lot of young readers will be engaged in the short story.
*Kara Ashby
A Tree for All Seasons
Title: Bernard, R. (2001). A tree for all seasons. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society Genre: Informational
Grade/Age Level: K-4
Summary: This book takes a close look into examining the changes that occur in a sugar maple tree as the season’s progress.
Review: This is a great book to use for learning about the different seasons. This book is loaded with pictures and is an easy read for younger children. It is extremely informational and will help children learn about the maple tree in its different seasons.
Amazing Jungle!
Title: Diaz, K. (). Amazing Jungle!. : Pearson Education, Inc..
Genre: Informational
Grade/Age Level: K-5
Summary: This colorful and vibrant book helps children learn about what a jungle is, what type of animals and plants surround it, and explains the different layers inside a jungle.
Review: This book is definitely something children will be interested in. The book goes into great detail about all parts of the jungle. It also features a useful picture glossary that readers can refer to. I learned a lot about the jungle from this book! It would be a wonderful book for a science lesson.
Duck on a Bike
Title: Shannon, D. (2002). Duck on a bike. New York: Blue Sky Press.
Genre: Fantasy
Grade/Age level: K-2
Summary: When a duck finds a parked bike, he decides to give it a ride. He rides past all of his farm animal friends and most of them think he is crazy, but some would like to ride too. When more kids park their bikes and go inside, the rest of the animals ride bikes too.
Review: This is a silly picture book perfect for preschool aged kids. I have read it to young children before and it’s always a big hit. I love how the book ends with the duck looking at a tractor, leaving the audience questioning if he will try to ride that next!
Chameleon’s Colors
Title: Tashiro, C., & Martens, M. (2003). Chameleon's colors ([1st U.S. ed.). New York: North-South Books.
Genre: Fantasy
Grade/Age level: 5 and up
Summary: Chameleon is tired of always blending in and no one ever noticing him. His friends tell him they think it’s cool that he can change colors. Chameleon paints all of the animals with wild colors and patterns. Soon after, each animal realizes they like what their appearance looked like originally because it helped them survive.
Review: This is a very cute and imaginative book. The book teaches students to be comfortable in their own skin and to love yourself for who you are. It would also be good to use for an art lesson. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and appreciate the message!
Kevin and His Dad
Title: Smalls, I., & Hays, M. (1999). Kevin and his dad. Boston: Little, Brown and Co..
Genre: Poetry
Grade/Age level: 3-6 years old
Award: 1999 Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winner
Summary: This rhyming book is about a day in the life of a father and son as they tackle on their typical Saturday plans. They clean the whole house and then have time to play together.
Review: This is a sweet book about the bond of a father and son. As I was reading it I could feel the love the two characters shared. Children will love the rhyming words that each page has. It also makes doing chores look fun!
The Cat in the Hat
Title: Dr. Seuss (2005) The Cat in the Hat. Random House Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Poetry
Grade/Age level: Pre-k – 2nd grade
Summary: Sally and her brother are home alone on a rainy day. The Cat shows up and shows them his wild tricks to entertain them. Thing 1 and Thing 2 destroy the house and the kids are so worried. The Cat creates a machine to clean the mess up, and then he disappears.
Review: This is a classic children’s book. Like many others, I grew up reading this book. It’s a great beginner’s book and a good way to introduce rhyming into the classroom.
Sweet Land of Liberty
Title: Gingrich, C. and Arciero, S. (1992) Sweet Land of Liberty. Regnery Kids.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade/Age level: Preschool-3rd grade
Summary: Ellis the Elephant visits significant times in our nation’s history. Ellis travels through time to discover and learn more about the first Thanksgiving, the Boston Tea Party, George Washington, the great frontier, and the first man on the moon.
Review: This book helps young readers have fun while reading about the history of where we come from. I read it to my preschool class and they loved the characters and the rhyming. It helps children learn about the events that made our nation the way it is today. It’s illustrations are also very neat. It’s the perfect book for a history lesson!
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Title: Gingrich, C. and Arciero, S. (2013) Yankee Doodle Dandy. Regnery Kids.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade/Age level: Preschool-3rd grade
Summary: Ellis the Elephant walks the reader through history. In this book, we learn more about America’s patriots and how they fought for independence. Ellis goes back into time to visit and encounter historical events and people in our nation’s history such as: Paul Revere, The Founding Fathers, Betsy Ross, and more.
Review: Having such a cute character like Ellis keeps children entertained while learning such important events. It’s such a fun way to teach children about our nation’s history! The book is an easy read for younger students and has such beautiful illustrations.
One Dark Night
Title: Hutchins, H. J., & Hartung, S. K. (2001). One dark night. New York: Viking.
Genre: Mystery
Grade/Age level: preschool-2nd grade
Summary: On one summer night a thunderstorm begins. Jonathan is safe inside but sees a stray cat outside. The cat comes in with a kitten and runs back out. His Grandma thinks the stray cat has disappeared but she brings in another kitten. The storm is getting worse and the stray cat goes back out, bringing in one more kitten.
Review: This is a sweet book about a frightening thunderstorm and a stray cat protecting her kittens. The author leaves the audience wondering what will happen next to the cat each time it runs out. Children will love counting down the seconds each time the thunder rolls.
Sleepover Sleuths
Title: Keene, C. and Pamintuan, M. (1992) Sleepover Sleuths (Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew #1). Aladdin.
Genre: Mystery
Grade/Age level: 6-9 years old
Summary: Dierdre has invited her 3 best friends to a sleepover and each friend has to bring their City Girls dolls. They are excited for a fun night of junk food and a fashion show, but the girls get worried once Dierdre’s doll goes missing.
Review: Any book on Nancy Drew is a hit with children, particular the younger girl audience. This book keeps the readers on their toes wondering how Nancy will use her detective skills to find the missing doll.
Who Was Albert Einstein?
Title: Brallier, J. M., & Parker, R. A. (2002). Who was Albert Einstein?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Genre: Biography
Grade/Age Level: 8-12 years old
Summary: In the book, readers learn important facts on Albert Einstein’s life. The book describes his early struggles in life, his extraordinary abilities, his family life, and scientific discoveries.
Review: Most people know who Albert Einstein is, but this is a great book that goes into detail about his life and how he impacted our lives today. This would be a great book for social studies and science.
Who Was Walt Disney?
Title: Stewart, W., & Harrison, N. (2009). Who was Walt Disney?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Genre: Biography
Grade/Age level: 8-12 years old
Summary: This biography reveals the man behind all the magic. The book goes into details about events in his life, where he grew up, his childhood, and how he left the world such a wonderful place.
Review: It was neat to learn about Walt Disney and how he created all the fun cartoons we know of today. This book is very informational and would be a great resource for students who are doing an assignment on a historical figure.
The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza)
Title: Sturges, P., & Walrod, A. (1999). The Little Red Hen (makes a pizza.) New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Genre: Traditional Literature (folktale)
Grade/Age level: 3-5 years old
Summary: This is a fun rendition of the classic tale of the Little Red Hen. In this book, the hen wants to make a pizza but doesn’t have the supplies. She asks her friends to help out but they are all too busy. One she makes her delicious smelling pizza, her friends suddenly become available to eat it. Happily, all of the friends help the Hen clean up the dishes when they are done eating.
Review: I love that this book teaches the readers to always help their friends out. I read it to my preschool students and they love reading the next lines before I do. This is a great modern version that all children will love!
The Legend of a Bluebonnet
Title: dePaola, T. (1983) The Legend of the Bluebonnet. Puffin Publishers.
Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade/Age level: preschool-3rd
Summary: In this book, the author retells the folktale of how the bluebonnet became the state flower. A young Comanche girl sacrifices her doll for the Great Spirits during a terrible drought. In return, the Great Spirits cover the ground with beautiful blue bonnets.
Review: This is a great read for younger students. I have used this book in the past for Texas Public School Week. Students love learning about our state flower and the interesting story behind it!
The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body
Title: Cole, J. and Degan, B. (1989) The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body. Scholastic Press.
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade/Age level: Pre-k-3rd grade
Summary: Ms. Frizzle is teaching her students about the human body. All is well until classmate Arnold accidently swallows the bus! The class takes a closer look into Arnold’s stomach, intestines, and bloodstream.
Review: The Magic School bus series is guaranteed to be a hit with young readers. I used this book on a lesson on the human body and the children loved it. This book features notes, close ups, and diagrams that students can refer to.
The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System
Title: Cole, J., & Degen, B. (1990). The magic school bus, lost in the solar system. New York: Scholastic Inc..
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade/age level: pre-k-3rd grade
Summary: Ms. Fizzle saves the day when the class finds out the museum is closed. The magic school bus turns into a spaceship and takes the class into the atmosphere. The book goes into great detail about our solar system all while Ms. Fizzle and her class are on a wacky fieldtrip!
Review: This would be a perfect book to read to students for a unit on space. Each page goes into detail about our solar system. The author makes the concept of space easy for young readers to understand. Readers will also enjoy the comedy and fun that Ms. Fizzle brings!
The Ugly Vegetables
Title: Lin, G. (1999). The ugly vegetables (Anniversary ed.). Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade/age level: 4-8 years old
Summary: A little girl and her mother start a garden in their backyard along with their neighbors. The girl notices that her garden isn’t beautiful like those around her. She is upset that they are growing colorful flowers and she has ugly vegetables. After her mom picks the vegetables, she makes a delicious vegetable soup. All of the neighbors come try the soup and the girl is proud that her family grows vegetables.
Review: I love that this book is about a girl feeling different from others, but soon realizes that she is special as well. This book has amazing illustrations. The book has a glossary for the Chinese words used throughout the book. The book also includes directions on how to make Ugly Vegetable Soup. It’s a good book on teaching kids about different cultures and customs.
Raccoon on his Own
Title: Arnosky, J. (2001). Raccoon on his own. New York: G.P. Putnam's.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade/Age level: 2-6 years old
Summary: A baby raccoon is swept downstream in an empty canoe. The baby raccoon is terrified at first but then he notices the view around him – all kinds of things he has never seen before. His family watches him from shore as he safely reunites with them.
Review: This is a cute, easy read for young children. They can relate to being so dependent on their parents. The pictures on each page are bright and fit perfect with the story. Children will also love the animals the raccoon encounters on his way. *
Megan Solis
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Silverstein, S. (1974). Where the sidewalk ends: the poems & drawings of Shel Silverstein.. New York: Harper and Row.
Author: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: This book has an abundance of funny and outrageous poems that will encourage students to want to keep reading. The poems in this book will make you think what was the author thinking while reading this?
Personal Review: I grew up on books written by Shel Silverstein. I loved reading his poems about a girl eating a whale, or how to auction off my sister. His poetry encouraged me to use my imagination as a student and to think outside of the box and I feel it will do the same for my students in the classroom.
Sleepy Book
Zolotow, C. (1958). Sleepy book. New York, NY: HarperTrophy.
Author: Charlotte Zolotow
Genre: Poetry
Grade level: 1
Summary;This book is a children’s book that shows students different ways that animals sleep whether it is a pigeon, or seal. This book fills the curiosity of students of other things in the world that also sleep at night.
Personal Review:I chose this book because I love how it informs the students about how other animals sleep in the world. Looking at the cover, I thought this would just be another book telling a child how they need to go to sleep really soon. But it’s so much more than that. I myself learned things about how animals sleep that I hadn’t learned before. It’s very informative and is not just a bedtime story. It’s educational as well.
The Giving Tree
Silverstein, S. (1964). The giving tree. New York: Harper & Row.
Author: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Picture Book
Grade level: K-2
Summary: Every day a young boy would visit and tree and swing from her branches, eat her apples, and climb up and down her trunk. Each day he grew older and each day he wanted and asked for more from the tree. The tree would happily give the boy whatever he wanted. For years the tree and given to the boy, even at the very end when there was nothing but her stump left, she provided that same boy, now an old man, a place to sit.
Personal Review: I love this book, although it is sad, it shows a great life lesson to all ages to not take things for granted. You can receive everything from someone time and time and again but never give back. People are okay with that. But it teaches students that even though they may be given things multiple times, they will not always be there.
So You Want To Be A President?
Small, D., & George, J. (2000). So you want to be a president?. New York, NY:
Scholastic Inc.
Author:Judith St. George
Genre: Picture Book
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary:This book is very informative when it comes to our past presidents. It’s a fun and outgoing read for students to have that tells them different similarities and differences of each of the presidents.
Personal Review: After reading this book, I learned things that I had never even known about our presidents before. So I felt that the students would really benefit and have fun reading about their past presidents and have an interest of their history.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type
Cronin, D. (2000). Click, clack, moo cows that type. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division
Author: Doreen Cronin
Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 2
Summary:Farmer Brown starts to encounter problems when he discovers his cows know how to type! They start leaving him notes demanding better working conditions and start to go on strike. All day long all Farmer Brown hears is CLICK CLACK MOO!
Personal Review:This book is something fun for the students to read. It gives them a sense of standing up for themselves and what they believe in. Showing how they can let themselves be heard in a fun way and starting at a young age.
Old Reddy Drum: A Tale of Redfish
Tate, S. (1993). Old reddy drum a tale of redfish. North Carolina: Borden Printing Plant.
Author: Suzanne Tate
Genre: Fiction
Grade level: 2
Summary:
Old Reddy Drum is a wise as well as powerful fish that gives wonderful advise to a young fish named Peter Puppy Drum that could also save his life in the end if he chooses to listen to it.
Personal Review: This book shows children that those that are older than you can always help you no matter what the situation is. Don’t be afraid to ask someone what to do because they may have been in the same boat and know exactly what to tell you to do.
The Magic School Bus: At the Waterworks
Cole, J. (1986). The magic school bus at the waterworks. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Author: Joanna Cole
Genre: Informational Text
Grade level: 3-5
Summary: Mrs. Frizzle takes her class on the Magic School Buss to the Waterworks to experience the purification system. But they aren’t looking at it from the outside, they are actually in it!
Personal Review: I chose this book because the Magic School Bus is always a fun read for students. It teaches them about different characteristics in our world such as the purification system in this book. It also has different areas in the book that tell the students facts about the subject of the book which is very educating.
The Magic School Bus: On the Ocean Floor
Cole, J. (1992). The magic school bus on the ocean floor. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Author: Joanna Cole
Genre: Informational Text
Grade level: 3
Summary:Ms. Frizzle takes her students down into the ocean on the great Magic School Bus. In this book, they look at ocean floor and encounter crabs, lobster and even some dolphins!
Personal Review:The Magic School Bus is a great book to have students in order for them to learn different things such as what lives in the ocean and on the ocean floor. The different facts that are placed on every page and the illustration that is done in this book make the book so much more interesting for students.
The Phantom Tollbooth
Juster, N., & Feiffer, J. (1961). The phantom tollbooth. New York: Epstein & Carroll ; distributed by Random House.
Author: Norton Juster
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: This story is about a young boy named Milo who is always bored and just not interested in anything anyone has to say or do. Until, one day he comes home to find a giant tollbooth in his room and assembles it. With this tollbooth he decides to take his toy car through the booth and go on amazing adventures. He visits the land of numbers, the land of words, and meets a dog named Tock. Through these lands and many other characters along the way, Milo learns how extraordinary his life can truly be.
Personal Review: This book has a lot of humor and will teach students to cherish the little things in life that they have. The fun characters Milo encounters and the different lands he visits will encourage kids to go on their own adventures and make new memories.
Matilda
Dahl, R., & Blake, Q. (1988). Matilda. New York: Viking Kestrel.
Author: Ronald Dahl
Genre: Fantasy
Grade level: 3-5
Summary: Matilda is a misunderstood young girl who loves to play practical jokes using her magical powers. Taken for granted by her wealthy parents and the scary Ms. Trunchbull, Matilda finds happiness through her magic.
Personal Review: I find that this book helps students find the good in bad situations. Their home or school life may not be the greatest but they could always find something in those hard times that make them happy.
Who was George Washington?
Edwards, R., & Kelley, T. (2009). Who was George Washington?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Author: Roberta Edwards
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 3-5
Summary: This book gives an overview of George Washington’s life. It includes his life as a child, his life in the military, as a President, and his death.
Personal Review: It’s important for students to know about the past president’s who have served the country, especially the first president of the United States. Reading this book will contribute to that knowledge.
Who was Jackie Robinson?
Herman, G., & Brien, J. (2011). Who was Jackie Robinson?. New York: Grosset & Dunlap.
Author: Gail Herman
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 3-4
Summary: This book not only talks about how talented Jackie Robinson is in football, basketball and baseball. But it also talks about his childhood and what it took to get to where he was. This book most importantly recognizes how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball.
Personal Review: This is a very important book for students to read. Not just because it acknowledges how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball. But it shows students to never give up on something that they believe in no matter how hard it may be or what anyone says, go for it.
Rap a Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles, Think of That!
Dillon, L., & Dillon, D. (2002). Rap a tap tap: here's Bojangles think of that!. New York: Blue Sky Press.
Author:Diane Dillon
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level: PreK-2
Summary: This rhythmic book tells the life of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson who is a talented African American tap dancer. The rhythmic words and colorful illustrations leave you repeating the story throughout the day in your head.
Personal Review: I feel this book is great for students to learn that reading books can be fun and actually feel like a song. Even though it’s a fun book, it still gives awareness of the many individuals who made a difference.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Martin, B., & Carle, E. (1992). Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?. New York: H. Holt.
Author: Bill Martin Jr.
Genre: Rhythmic Book
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: This book is about what a brown bear sees in his surroundings, which include a purple cat, blue horse and many more colorful animals. With the colorful illustrations, it shows students that not everything has to be what society says for them to be. You can make it whatever you want it to be.
Personal Review: Growing up I remember reading this book time and time again because I loved the rhythmic words used. I found myself saying it throughout the day. It was my go to book.
Alphabet
Fleet, Matthew Van. Alphabet. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008. Print.
Author: Matthew Van Fleet
Genre: Interactive Reading
Grade Level: Preschool
Summary: The Alphabet book has many animals from A-Z describing not only the alphabet, but action words, opposites as well as synonyms. There are textures, pull tabs, flaps and many other interactive tools for students at such a young age to use.
Personal Review: I feel like this book is great for students with special needs in particular. Students that are in the special education classroom learn better when they are able to feel what is being described to them and this interactive book will do just that.
Opposites
Author:Robert Crowther
Genre: Interactive Reading
Grade Level: Preschool
Summary: This book is great for helping students distinguish the opposites of expressions such as happy, or feeling cold. Students at a young age may have a hard time understanding what the meaning of opposite is and this book helps them comprehend it better. With pull tabs and bright colors, this book is great for the special education classroom as well.
Personal Review: I loved the illustrations in this book and how they distinguished the difference between two opposites. Interactive books are great for students that learn hands on and this will help them understand what the meaning of opposite is.
The Five Chinese Brothers
Author: Claire Huchet Bishop
Genre:Folk Tale
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: This book is about five brothers from China and each of these brothers hold a special hidden talent.One can swallow the sea; one has an iron neck; one can stretch his legs; one can survive fire; and the last can hold his breath forever. But trouble arises when one of the brothers goes fishing with a boy one day.
Personal Review: This book shows how everyone is different in their own way and families stick together no matter how hard times may get. They support one another and I feel that is important to show students at a young age.
Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears
Author: Verna Aardema
Genre: Folk Tale
Grade Level: K-2
Summary: This Folk Tale tells the story of a chain reaction of events that happen because a mosquito decided to gossip about a nearby farmer. Tension rises through out the story and the King Lion wants to get the bottom of it.
Personal Review: I think this shows students early on that not everything seen or heard needs to be repeated. It hurts other, makes them angry or someone ends up getting hurt.
Claudia Hernandez
Title: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Author: Eric Carle
Genre: Poetry and Rhyme
Awards:
Grade level (or age): Pre K-2
Summary: The animals are asked what they see, and the animal responds with a color and another animal.
Personal Review: This book has no plot. Although, it is a good book for children to learn color and different animals.
Title: Germs! Germs! Germs!
Genre: Poetry and Rhyme
Author: Bobbi Katz
Grade level (or age):k-2
Summary: Learning about germs in a rhyme. It describes how germs cause you to be sick. How to make sure you don’t spread germs.
Personal Review: Young children are unaware of germs. This books makes learning about being clean and not spread germs in a fun way. It is important to make sure students stay healthy. This is a perfect book for the topic.
Title: The Very Busy Spider
Author: Eric Carle
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: A little spider one day decides to spin a web. Each animal comes buy and asks the spider to go and do something with them, but the spider never responds to the other animals. She keeps going until she finally finishes her web.
Personal Review: This a good book for students to be able to learn to finish their work before they can play. It is made with colorful pictures and an easy read.
Title: The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig
Author: Eugene Trivizas
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: The three little wolves went out into the world and built themselves a home, only to have it destroyed by the big bad pig. After failed attempts, they then came across a flamingo bird which solved all their problems.
Personal Review: This story involved multiple plot changes, in doing so capturing the reader’s attention. This book can be used to show that there is many way to tell a folk tale. Students can also make up their own scenarios throughout the storyline.
Title: The Story of Rudy Bridges
Author:
Genre: Biography
Awards: Robert Coles
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Rudy a young African American girl is enrolled in an all white school. Many events happen because her skin color is different. Rudy’s parents encouraged her and never moved her to another school.
Personal Review: The concept of the book is a good concept to teach children not every one is the same and it is okay to be different. It is important to stand up for what you believe in.
Title: Marley: A Dog Like No Other
Author: John Grogan
Genre: Biography
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 6-8
Summary: A Labrador retriever named Marley always found himself in a nose of trouble. Others even described him as the “worst dog ever”, especially the Grogan’s. Only as the storyline progresses, it is soon to be discovered that Marley then becomes the heart of the family.
Personal Review: This book has a touching storyline showing that people and their perspectives can change over time. Being a dog owner and a pet lover, this book really spoke to me.
Title: Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy
Author: Barbara Park
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Junie B. Jones is instructed to bring a pet, apart of “Bring your pet to school day” yet the only rule is that dogs are not allowed. Being that Junie only has a dog as pet, Junie is then forced to think outside the box and replace her pet with something other than a dog.
Personal Review: I loved this book! The storyline was humorous and filled with possibilities. The outcome of the story left me in the best of moods, laughing the day away.
Class Literature Portfolio
Jennifer Rhodes
1) Kirk, D. (1999). Nova's ark. New York: Scholastic Press/Callaway
Genre: Fiction (Science Fiction/Fantasy/Adventure)
Culture: Universal
Award(s): 1997 Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: K-3
Summary
Nova is a sentient robot living on a planet named Roton that is fueled by crystals; they keep it alive. Sadly, they are running out, and one day inspired by his precious wooden ark and wooden animals, Roton decides to escape on s spaceship to find his father who has left the year before in search of the crystals. Nova's ship, after travelling far through space, crash lands on a moon, and, inspired by his ark, builds robot animals out of the ship pieces to keep him company. The very next day his own father's ship crash lands, but his father is not reviving. In one of the most touching scenes I have read in a long time, each of the animals donates a piece of themselves to save his dad; with Nova making the biggest one of all: One of the valves from his heart! Together, they make an ark and return home, saving their planet and reuniting his whole family.
Personal Review:
I loved the bright colors and fantastic animals and spaceships in this book: they made the story come alive, even making the crystals in the book glow! I enjoyed the parallels to Noah's Ark saving a family like Nova's Ark did. It is both a fun adventure and moral message to take care of our Earth. It would be a great choice for Earth Day, as well as a treasury of story and illustration ideas for young writers!
2) Riggs, R. (2011). Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books.
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy/Mystery)
Culture: British/Welsh
Award(s):
Grade level: Middle School-Adult
Summary
Both suspense and mystery, this haunting story is about a fictitious home in Wales for "peculiar" children. Peculiar as in one girl levitates all the time, a boy who can temporarily bring the dead to life, and a girl who sees her twin only in reflection, just to name a few! They are at this home to be protected from evil creatures who want to destroy them for their special gifts. It was built during the time of the Holocaust and the book offers much parallel to the persecution of the Jews.
Personal Review
I love "out there" books and some creepiness, and this book fulfills it all! I love how it parallels history of the Holocaust (the "beasts") can be easily paralleled by the reader to the Nazi storm troopers. An excellent read for middle school on up; I suggest no earlier than 7th grade, due to the emotional maturity required to deal with the bizarre and graphic images here. This would be an incredible book to read along with a class study of the Holocaust, or other mass genocidal events in history. It also reaffirms that it is ok, even necessary to be special in our own way, and that there is no "normal." One of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I am anxiously waiting to get my bookworm hands on the sequel "Hollow City"!
3) Watson, J. W. (1951). Walt Disney's bunny book. New York: Golden Press.
Genre: Fiction (Folktale)
Culture: American
Award(s): none
Grade Level: K-3
Summary
This adorable book from my childhood (I own the original 1951 print) talks about Grandpa Bunny Bunny and how he teaches all the young bunnies not only to paint eggs- but the leaves, grass, trees, even the little bugs that come out in spring. It is much more than painted eggs that bunnies are responsible for; it is painting all the colors of the seasons! In the end Great Grandpa has to go away and one evening the bunnies discover that this "biggest project" was painting the sunset! It was inspired by the 1934 Walt Disney "Silly Symphonies" cartoon, "Funny Little Bunnies." Find it hereà http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykrETNRvzns
Personal Review
This is an absolutely enchanting book for young people, and perfect for Easter or spring studies, and even change itself, such as moving away, and death. Grandpa Bunny Bunny does not return after his final masterpiece. Kids can be left to conclude where he may have gone. I love how gentle the treatment of his departure is, especially ending in a magical sunset. A great book for thinking outside the box for Spring/Easter Stories.
4) Gutierrez, L. and Taken, S. (2013) I Love Myself. Let Me Tell You Why...Funny poems to help increase your child's self-esteem and confidence. (Kindle edition). Retrieved from Amazon.com
Genre: Poetry
Culture: American
Awards: none
Grade level: Any
Summary:
This is a kindle book of poems to increase self-esteem, and they are both funny and inspirational! Clear, colorful language and humorous, yet poignant illustrations follow some of the poems. All the poems talk about some great ways to love yourself and others, such as daring to believe in yourself and dreams; loving you for who you are, how to smile, and a young boy wishing he was old, while the old man wishes he was young.
Personal Review:
Once I began reading this little collection of poems, I could not stop. I thought of all the people, young and old, it can help, and what a great tool it is for education! This would be an excellent first day of school reading, perhaps played with some trust games. It is also great for the counselor's office, and to have available to read for any students (and staff!) I highly recommend having this book for our own children and families as well. We all can use a self-esteem boost now and then! I am hoping it comes out in print, but right now, it is only in Kindle.
5) Wisniewski, D., & Salsbery, L. (1996). Golem. New York: Clarion Books.
Genre: Fiction (Traditional Folktale)
Culture: Jewish/Czech
Award(s): 1997 Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: 4-7
Summary:
Since the beginning of history the Jewish people have been hated, persecuted, walled in like rats, and executed all for having a different faith than Christianity. This all began, with the crucifixion of Christ. Christians blame the Jews for killing Christ. And so it began. This story is retells a famous Jewish folktale and legend about a revered Rabbi Loew, and using Cabala, a mystical practice of the Jewish faith, to create a
Golem-a clay man, by a powerful ceremony using Gods name and writing the word "truth" on its forehead. This particular telling is set over 400 years ago in Prague, where the Jews were not allowed to have weapons, were beaten, and forced to live in wall off cities called ghettoes.
The book says it best: "In the year 1580, the Jews of Prague were bearing the ignorant fury of others. Enemies had accused them of mixing the blood of
Christian children with the flour and water of matzoh, the unleavened
Passover bread. This incited angry mobs to great cruelty against the Jews (p 2 Wisniewski)." So the golem is created by the rabbi to serve in the temple by day protect the Jews at night by stopping the spread of the Blood Lie by finding the people who were stealing (yes, stealing) other's children out of their own homes to spread the lie. Finally, after enough of these criminals are taken to the authorities and locked up thanks to the Golem, they realize they have been lied to and begin to come to their senses, forcing the rulers to stop the Jewish persecution. This causes enraged mobs of Jewish enemies to march to the ghetto to incite a riot. Suddenly, the rabbi notices the Golem getting much bigger and when it begins hurting and killing people, he knows he must return him to the clay from where he came. So he erases the first letter of "emet (truth)", so it becomes "met (death)", and the golem disintegrates, and the clay is buried in the the synagogue attic under prayer shawls and books, with the hope that he will never have to return.
Personal Review
This is an intensely emotional book that teaches the danger of creating something we may not be able to control. The Golem was created for protection but became a killer. How many times have we seen this repeated through history? I think it is a great book about religious tolerance, the dangers of ignorance and not creating something that may get dangerously out of control. This is a great companion book to read when studying WW2 and the holocaust, as well as learning Jewish faith and its magical based art of Cabala.
6) Allsburg, C. (1981). Jumanji. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Genre: Fantasy
Culture: Any
Awards: Caldecott Award 1982
Grade Level: 1-4
Summary
A bored brother and sister find this game by a tree one day and decide to play despite the warning that the game WILL not end until one player reaches the Golden City. What ensues is a houseful of monkeys, a rhinoceros stampede, a British hunter, a lion, and to top it all off, a typhoon, until one person wins. It's a great thing that everything goes back to the way it was before the game! The siblings decide never to play it again, but leave it right where they found it.
Personal Review:
Chris van Allsburg is one of my favorite authors, for his out of the box thinking, and endings that always leave the reader questioning what if? Honestly, though, I would have tried to destroy this game rather than leave it out! It is a fun fantasy and adventure story about sibling rivalry and the need for even siblings to get along and work to survive. A great team-building book.
7) Burleigh, R., & Blitt, B. (2011). The adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Biography
Culture: South U.S.
Awards: none
Grade level: 3-7
Summary:
Huck Finn, one of Mark Twain's most memorable characters gives this charming, southern-dialect written autobiography a great deal of Twain's wit and humor. Highlighting the main points and maybe not-so-known facts about Mr. Twain, this book was delightful from start to finish.
Personal Review:
This is a great book to assign to second or third graders to do their first autobiography on; the illustrations make the book come alive, and the readable language (although in dialect) makes it fun to read, especially out loud! I would read a book like this out loud, dressed like Huck Finn, as a fun introduction to classic children's literature or biography/autobiography books and writing. It would be a great book to have in the class library for writing style and voice as well!
8) Castillo, A., & Guevara, S. (2000). My daughter, my son, the eagle the dove: an Aztec chant. New York: Dutton Books.
Genre: Nonfiction/Historical Prose
Culture: Aztec
Awards: none
Grade Level: 7-up
Summary:
These chants were sung and danced to for coming of age Aztec boys and girls, as well as other major ceremonies, like weddings and their first hunt kill. It is prose in its form, with a similar structure to poetry, and the animal symbolism as well as illustrations brings this ancient celebration to life.
Personal Review:
I read this to my own children, a son who is 11, and a daughter who is 15, teaching them a little bit about Aztec culture and expectations. You should have seen their faces when I told my son he would likely be going on his first solo hunt back then, and my daughter would be married! It is a great chant to read to your students to go along with studies of the ancient Mexican cultures of both the Mayans and the Aztecs; it really would help students see them as people who loved and played and laughed and cried, not just abstract strangers of history.
9) Cooper, S., and Cober, A.E. (1973). The dark is rising (1st ed.).New York: Atheneum.
Genre: Fantasy/Suspense/Sci-Fi
Culture: British
Awards:
Grade level; 7-up
Summary:
"When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back, Three from the circle, three from the track;
Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone; Five will return, and one go alone (." These words from the story describe our main character, Will's quest to help immortals defend the Light in the mortal world (good), and the dark (evil) that is always trying to take over. On the twelve days of Christmas, right after his eleventh birthday, will is called to another realm with the Immortals to be given his task. He must fin six signs, keep them tightly around him, avoid the dark rider, and learn to control not only fire and other elements, but his own fears, desires, pain, and overall humanity to help them win the ultimate battle of Light over Dark.
Personal Review:
This is one of the most powerful stories of courage, fear, and good vs. evil I have ever read. This is why I now own the entire sequence, because I want to know the prequel and the rest of the series to see which power wins. So much symbolism exists in this story, such as the rider on the horse, doors that Will goes trough that really aren't there, and calling up and controlling fire, just to name a few. I think middle school and even high school students could really get into this book; perhaps different teams could read each book in the series, have literature circle discussions for each book, then monthly grand conversations involving all the teams to talk about the similarities and differences in the main character (no spoilers, of course!) This could also be adapted to script by older classes into a stage play, perhaps using the existing film as a reference point.
10) Crisp, M., & Papp, R. (2008). Titanicat. Chelsea, MI.: Sleeping Bear Press.
Genre; Historical /Non-Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: none
Grade Level: 1-4
Summary: A thrilled Jim Mulholland is picked to be one of the many cabin boys on the great ship Titanic. He is also put in charge of the cat, who he names 401, because that is his cabin number. He helps the cat, her kittens and the crew as the finish all the final preparations and practice runs for Titanic. Then, the day of embarking, Jim cannot find the ship's lucky cat anywhere; he discovers her offloading her kittens onto the dock. Racing back through the ship, he finds 401 crouched with one more kitten; so he decides to help her get her babies off. But what happens in the end is not what he expects; she also saves his life by keeping him from being on the Titanic when it sails!
Personal Review: I was deeply moved by this true account and have to wonder how many other miracles happened that day that saved lives? Did the cat know something bad was going to happen? Animals have an amazing sense of things; far more sensitive than humans. This would be a fun companion book to read along with this time period in history, as well as perfect for making and answering questions, such as why was the cat taking her kittens off? Why was she still on board with the last kitten? It is just an all around inspiring tale of courage, and how a great disappointment can turn to relief, which is helpful for students to learn.
11) Evans, L., & Evans, L. (2012). Horten's miraculous mechanisms: magic, mystery & a very strange adventure. New York: Sterling Children's Books.
Genre: Mystery/Steam punk
Culture: British
Awards: Long-listed for the Carnegie Medal (2012) and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize (2011)
Grade Level: 3-6
Summary: Stuart Horten is short for his age, and gets made fun of a great deal. It serves as no help that his initials are S/Horten! He has just moved far away from his old friends and home, when he starts fining clues that lead him on an exciting, dangerous, and wondrous adventure to try to find his missing Uncle Tony's workshop! If he can find that, he may find Uncle Tony. That is, if he can survive the annoying triplets following his every move!
Personal Review: I love magic, and have been fascinated with illusionists and magicians since I was about 5. So, this book was a no-brainer for me! Oh, wow, it is absolutely wondrous in the way the mystery unfolds, and it really engaged me the entire time to help answer the clues Stuart was trying to answer I love how the machines are Victorian like and powered by steam, and even still work! I think this book would truly encourage reluctant readers, and just be a delightful one to have in the classroom. One idea for a lesson could be having the students build a "magical" machine of their own inspired by the book and put on a magic show!
12) Gerstein, M., & Tuosto, F. (2003). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, Conn.: Roaring Brook Press.
Genre: Nonfiction
Culture: French and English
Awards: 2004 Caldecott Medal, the winner of the 2004 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Picture Books, and the winner of the 2006 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.
Summary: In 1974, long before the tragedy of 9/11 was seared into our hearts and man, a French acrobat and rope walker named Phillip Petite, without permission, and only a little help from 2 friends in setting up-at night!-walked and danced and even laid down between the two Trade Center Towers. He was somewhat afraid, but so very joyful in the air-he was free.
Personal Review: This book gave me great comfort because it was such a beautiful, innocent, and brave event. When 9/11 rolls around in Social Studies, I know this book would be the perfect one to read to paint hope and joy in what may only be seen as a tragic place by any of us born after 1974. That is the main message in this book: hope.13) Fleischman, S. (2006). Escape!: the story of the great Houdini. New York: Greenwillow Books.
Genre: Biography
Culture: American
Awards: none
Grade Level: 4 and up
Summary; This is the fascinating story of Harry Houdini, still seen by many as the greatest magician ever. The author, Sid Fleischman, is a magician himself and gives details about Houdini's life that were surprising, such as he performed in medicine shows, the circus in the freak show tent, and that he really did get out of locks; it was not always an illusion! This book has beautiful prints of original black and white photographs of Houdini and his wife and others. What makes them so special is that the author got them personally from Madame Bess Houdini, his wife!
Personal Review:
This would be the perfect book for any student interested in learning more about magic, as well as for a biography. The language is straightforward and colorful. This is definitely a fairly quick read, and is structured to look up certain parts of Houdini's life, if, for example, research was done in a team.
14) DiCamillo, Kate, and K. G. Campbell. Flora & Ulysses: the illuminated adventures. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2013. Print.
Genre: Fiction/fantasy/coming of age
Culture: American
Awards: 2014 Newberry Medal
Grade Level: 3-7
Summary:
Flora is a pre-teen, self-proclaimed (yet wanting to hope) cynic, and Ulysses is her unlikely friend, a squirrel who gets sucked up into the neighbor's Ulysses 5000x Super All Terrain vacuum cleaner; it cleans indoors and out! So, when Flora's unwitting neighbor accidently sucks up the squirrel (hereafter named after his would be killing machine), Ulysses gets CPR by Flora, and lives. He has also gained super powers and can fly and understand human speech now! Together, they fight the perils of Flora's now-divorced mom, who is obsesses with writing drippy and tacky romance novels, and evil donut waitress, and reuniting Flora with her estranged father. This hilarious and heartwarming book shows readers that heroes come in all shapes and sizes and that the most unlikely (and even tragic) events can turn into something wonderful! I always suspected squirrels were super powered the way they torment my dog…. :)
Personal Review:
With graphic novel elements and illuminations of the story by pictures, students will love this book. It deals with loss and divorce, as well as that difficult age and time when a child is not an adult, but not a child. It is just great fun and adventure to read, and would be a great mentor text for writing fanciful (or true) stories about animal heroes. I might also have my class construct a cardboard model of the super vacuum cleaner with what looks like a squirrel sticking out for a book week door decoration!!
15) Dowd, Siobhan. The London Eye mystery. Oxford: David Fickling Books, 20082007. Print.
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Culture: British
Awards: 2008 Cybil's Awards for Middle Grade Fiction
Grade Level: 4-8
Summary:
This charming mystery set in London revolves around a sister and brother's friend going up in the London Eye and NOT returning. Unusual? Yes. Impossible to solve? Not with this sister and brother who normally clash like titans. The brother has Asperger's Disorder which allows him to often see things and think of things in a different way from others. The two work out their differences and team up to find their missing friend, with a surprise twist ending.
Personal Review:
I chose this book as something to read to my son, who has Asperger's Disorder, to let him know it can be a gift depending on how it is used. We have not finished yet, but I am sure we will. It is an absolutely engaging story from the very beginning, and I highly recommend it for students with special needs, and especially classrooms to hear or read on their own to teach tolerance and that special does not mean cast out. I never knew how huge the London Eye was until I read this book and looked it up! Definitely very hard to go up in its clear pods and disappear! It is a great book for practicing questioning with students, such as where do they think the friend went, and how would they find him?
To see the London Eye, which helped me really appreciate this mystery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ydl7Kr61AA
16) L'Engle, M. (1962). A wrinkle in time. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Genre: Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Non-fiction
Culture: American
Awards: Newbery Medal (1963), Sequoyah Book Award (1965)
Grade Level: 4-7
Summary:
Meg is a troubled, unpopular teenager with a 5-year old "odd" brother that is selectively mute, so others think he is dumb, when he is actually a genius with psychic powers. Together with Meg's friend Calvin, and three magical friends, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit, they set out to find Meg's missing father, who disappeared while doing work on a tesseract (a wrinkle in time and space, basically-the 4th dimension). It allows them to fold space and time in half, to travel very far to find their father in a matter of minutes! No one believes he has disappeared to another place except Meg's mother, until the three set off to an evil planet named Camezotz, where everyone has to be exactly the same. Meg's father is trapped there, and only the love and bond between her and her brother can set him free.
Personal Review:
I first read this book when I was nine years old my teacher gave it to me for winning the spelling bee when I was nine. Little did I know the magic it contained, but even better, real knowledge about time and space travel. It is nearly impossible to put down, and seamlessly leads readers through the fifth dimension of theoretical physics without them even knowing. The language is so easy to understand, and all new concepts are explained as the story goes along. I love how it is fantasy, but based in real science. Most of all, it is a story about courage, perseverance, and that love is stronger than any force in the universe, and I think this will appeal to children on a very personal level, especially ones who are different or not popular. It is an excellent book to teach tolerance and respect for individuality, since the greatest evil in the book is a planet where everyone is the same, thinks the same, and even has the same heartbeat!
17) Parish, P., & Siebel, F. (1963). Amelia Bedelia. New York: Harper & Row.
Genre: Classic Fiction
Culture: American
Awards: No:
Grade Level: K-2
Summary:
This is the first in a long collection of stories about a sweet housemaid who is so obedient; she does EXACTLY as she is told! The only problem is she takes American phrases literally, such as "dress the chicken" and "trim the steak", among many other hilarious yet innocent misunderstandings! Her bosses, Mr. and Mrs. Smith come home to find a whole chicken neatly dressed in lederhosen complete with socks, and a steak with lace on its edges, and a bow on top!
Personal Review:
I don't think I ever read any of these books until this class; oh, my, I laughed through every page and I know this is why children love these books too! It is such an excellent book to read for ESL and ELL learners who are just beginning to understand our idioms. They can really sympathize with poor Amelia, and not feel so alienated themselves when they misunderstand directions. The series is a gentle reminder that we need to vary our language and word choice based on the person we are speaking to. As an educator, this hysterical book really highlighted just how confusing and contradictory English is, (especially with words that have more than one meaning) and is therefore the hardest language to learn in the world!
18) Osborne, M. P., & Murdocca, S. (2009). A good night for ghosts. New York: Random House.
Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure
Culture: American
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1-4
Summary:
In their continuing Merlin's quest to find people who bring happiness to the world, Jack and Annie are transported to New Orleans in 1915 to find Louis Armstrong, who is working three jobs as a young boy just to help his family. He loves to play, and has a gift for, the trumpet, but rarely takes time to play for others. Jack and Annie have to convince him to do this so he can become the jazz great that brought so much joy to the world!
Personal Review:
I love the Magic Tree house series, and plan to own all of them one day. They teach nonfiction content through fun and adventurous stories. I chose this book because I have always wanted to learn more about New Orleans and have a fascination with their supposedly haunted places. The book mentions an old haunted bar, and many more are explained in its companion book "Fact Trackers: Ghosts," which I just HAD to read to go along with this book! I think children and teachers love this series because everyone wants to learn something new, and everyone loves a good adventure story! This would be the perfect kind of book to introduce early elementary students to using books for researching facts. The teacher could assign different topics based on the Magic Tree house Series, and give teams of two to four a few questions to answer. Even first graders could make a classroom book from one of the books The website, magictreehouse.com, has an incredible array of lesson plans, games, and teachers could easily use all of this as a stepping off point to a web quest as well. I remember in sixth grade having to write about the solar system The Magic Tree house series had existed, it would really have helped me do this! Therefore, this series also makes a great mentor text for creative-mixed-with-fact writing. I cannot wait to read more of the books, and I am 42!
Title: The Paint Brush Kid
Author: Clyde Robert Bulla
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Gregory is on summer vacation and is undecided as to how he wants to spend his summer days. He finds himself visiting his uncle Pancho, and listening to his stories of the good ‘ol days. Gregory had chosen to paint in order to pass the time, and after hearing the sad news that his uncle was being forced to move out of his home, Gregory became inspired to paint pictures of his uncles stories in hopes of saving him from having to move out.
Personal Review: The storyline express a lot of self-motivation and the desire to do what it takes, no matter what the stakes may be. I enjoyed this book and the overall compassionate message it portrayed.
Title: Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing
Author: Judi Barrett
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: Brightly colored illustrations demonstrate the various reasons as to why animals should not wear clothes. This gives children a perspective on how we as humans differ from animals of the wild.
Personal Review: I found this book very humorous and visual. It is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone willing to put a smile on a child’s face.
Title: Hiccups for Elephants
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): Pre K-3
Summary: All the animals in the forest try to help the elephant with his hiccups. They try are types of methods to help the elephant.
Personal Review: Everybody gets hiccups its relatable to the students.
Title: A Bug, A Bear and a Boy Go to School
Author: David M. McPahil
Genre: General Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age):K-2
Summary: The three friends a boy bug and bear to school together and do things like paint and ride a wagon.
Personal Review: This book is just for fun. It’s a book that will have students wondering what is going to happen next.
Title: Wake up, Wake up
Author: Brain Wildsmith
Genre: General Fiction
Awards:
Grade level (or age): Pre K -3
Summary: This book begins by explaining how the sun wakes up the rooster, and how the rooster then wakes up the other farm animals in which then creates a chain reaction awaking the entire farm.
Personal Review: I found this book being extremely realistic and intriguing towards children. Being a morning person, I found the storyline very relatable to my life.
Title: In The Heart of The Quake
Author: David Levithan
Genre: Adventure
Awards:
Grade level (or age): 3-5
Summary: Pressure is building underneath the earth. The only people who know about what is about to happen is Adam and his brother.
Personal Review: This book helps students with what they should do in a case like this. Do they tell everyone or keep it to themselves. This book helps with students and life lesson events.
Title: The Magic School Bus on The ocean floor
Author: Joanna Cole
Genre: Adventure
Awards:
Grade level (or age):
Summary: A teacher takes her students on the magic school bus and explores the ocean floor. Students are able to view the fish and more.
Personal Review: I believe the ocean is important for the students to learn about. It is very pretty and his book shows get illustration.
Title: The Earth and I
Author: Frank Asch
Genre: Folk Tale
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: This book explains the relationship between the child and earth itself. Demonstrating the different ways the earth is a reflection on the mood of the child and vice versa.
Personal Review: I found this book very interesting, as is the planet we call home. I feel as if this book is a great way to provide information to younger children about our relationship towards our home planet.
Title: Pinduli
Author: Janell Cannon
Genre: Folk Tale
Grade level (or age):K-2
Summary: The hyena thought she was the prettiest until one day other animals decided to tell her otherwise. This, left the hyena sad and uncomfortable with her imagine.
Personal Review: This helps students with a low self a steam. I shows that there is mean people and never to give up on yourself. Everyone is different.
Title: Stolen by the Sea
Author: Anna Myers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade level (or age): 6-8
Summary: A young girl survives the most hurricane in American history. After her family leaves her she is forced to face the storm alone.
Personal Review: This story is very beneficial due to the fact that a storm can affect myself in the same way. In doing so, applying a perspective of preparation towards any storms to come.
Title: Here Comes the Garbage Barge
Author: Jonah Winter
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grade level (or age): K-2
Summary: 1987 New York had no place for its tons of garbage. It smelled and the garbage kept building up across the east coast to the Gulf of Mexico.
Personal Review: This is a great way to inform students it is important to recycle to help were we live stay clean and healthy. It is important for people to take care of the environment.
Class Literature Portfolio
Jane Hill Brown
Dr. Chase Young
Read4380
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Book: All of Me
Genre: Beginner Books
Citation: Bang, (2009). All of Me, New York: The Blue Sky Press
Grade Level: PreK-K
Awards: None
Summary: This is a child's first book, it's a book about giving thanks. He gives thanks to his oes, hands, nose, head and all that the head can do, eyes, ears, and heart. With each thanks he gives an example of what that part of his body does that he is thankful for.
Person Review: I saw this book amazing that it was thanks for ourselves, our ears, nose and so on, instead of toys and material things. It's a good book to read to children to show what is really important to be thankful for. The book also had beautiful illustrations. The illustrations look like parts of the picture were drawn in crayon.
Book: Cat and Mouse
Genre- Beginner Books, Poetry, Nursery Rhymes
Citation: Schoenherr, (2008). Cat and Mouse, Greenville Books and imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Grade Level K-3
Award: Was chosen as one of New York Public Library's 100 titles for ready
Summary: This beginners book has very large illustration and incorporates two nursery rhymes, "Hickory Dickory Dock" , Eeny, Meeny, Miney Mo, and "I Love Little Pussy". When it is not written in nursery rhymes it is poetry. The mouse seemed to tease the cat and they were connected with the nursery rhymes and the poetry
Personal Review: This book has huge illustrations. The author uses three nursery rhymes to show the cat and mouse's interaction, for example, "Hickory Dickory Dock" shows the mouse running up the grandfather clocks chain and the cat running up the clock after the mouse, the cat is hanging on to the top of the clock by his claws, when the clock struck one, the mouse fell down (the mouse always had an umbrella like the ones you find in cocktails) so he would just float right down safe and sound, while the cat would jump with a bang and chase the mouse into the mouse hole. Each nursery rhyme and poem shows the really nice relationship of the cat and mouse, even though the cat was the one who really exerted himself in the play time. But the ending showed the love the mouse had for his kitty friend by giving him a bowl of milk, the last line is "And kitty will love me because I am good."
Book: Baby Bear Sees Blue
Genre: Picture Book
Citation: Wolff, A. (2012) Baby Bear Sees Blue. New York. Beach Land Books
Awards: five
Grade Level: PreK-K
Summary: As Baby Bear and his mother go through the forest Baby Bear Asks questions. "Who is warming me momma?" "Who is waving to me momma?" Momma Bear answers all Baby Bears questions throughout the book. The book is beautifully illustrated. This book is a great book to teach your children in a simple way.
Personal Review: This is a great book to teach children PreK-K because every question Baby Bear asks Momma Bear answers and they are all questions that are important for a young child to be aware of, like, "Who is warming me Momma?' Momma Bear says, "That's the sun" and goes on to specify that the sun is yellow. Another example is "Who is waving to me Momma?" and Momma Bear says, " That is an oak tree." There are about eight or nine different questions that Baby Bear asks. They are things that Baby Bear feels or sees and when teaching small children this is a good way to make them relate to the question.
Book: Daisy and the Beastie
Genre: Picture Book
Citation: Simmons, J. (2000). Daisy and the Beastie. Great Britain Orchard Books
Grade Level: PreK-2 Ages 3-7
Awards: a total of 8
Summary: Daisy and her duckling brother visit Grandpa on his farm. Grandpa tells Daisy and Pip a story about a mysterious Beastie, Grandpa falls asleep so Daisy and Pip go looking for Beastie. They go through all the farm animals homes until they finally fine Beastie. Three little kittens.
Personal Review: This book has incredible illustrations. It looks as if every page has been oil painted. The story is about two siblings ducks who go looking for Grandpa's mysterious Beastie. it is this great adventure so the child you are reading it to goes on this adventure also. The book takes Daisy and her brother Pip through every animal home all the while teaching the reader what each animal does in the farm, and what sounds the animals make, for example the Cow goes "Moo". The bee goes " Buzz" and pigs go "oink oink". Another great ;picture book for learning.
Book: Hot or Cold
Simon, S (1972). Let's-Try-It-Out Hot or Cold, New York: McGraw Hill
Genre: Juvenile Literature, Juvenile Works
Grade Level: 2-5
Summary: Presents simple experiments illustrating the characteristics of hot and cold.
Personal Review: Simon goes into detail teaching what clothes to wear for hot and cold, how hot and cold travels through different objects , for example how heat goes through a cooking pot verses a wooden spoon. By reading this book children can find out about different aspects of hot and cold. Like on a really cold day which bench would be more comfortable to sit on a metal bench or a wooden bench. I enjoyed the way Simon presents many very simple experiments and projects for children. For example, the way water freezes and ice melts. As children do these projects they have the opportunity to make discoveries for themselves.
Book: The Beginning of the Earth
Branley, F.M., (1972) The Beginning of the Earth. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company
Genre: Juvenile Literature
Grade Level K-3, ages 5-8
Summary: Describes the beginning of the Earth, from the formations of the planets out of dust and gas clouds to formation of continents of Earth.
Personal Review: These are fantastic books, after reading this one I research Branley and he has written several books on science in an easy way to understand. The illustrations are very memorizing all while explaining in such a simple way one of the most difficult phenomena's to understand. He makes it interesting because he writes it in a way the reader does not get lost in the complexity of the content. I would recommend these books highly.
Book: The Age of Innocence
Citation: Wharton, E. (2004) The Age of Innocence, New York. Published by Barnes and Nobel.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Award: 1921 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
Grade Level:
Summary: Wharton’s The Age of Innocence is romance story staged in the 1800’s when Society separated people by wealth and breed. This story is about a man that is going to marry May a very shy and introverted girl, but has the society level that he is expected to marry. May has a cousin name Ellen who is a countess by marriage but her husband The Count is very cruel and abusive and so Ellen leave Great Britain and file for divorce. Well of course her family tries to convince her not to divorce the Count obviously unaware of how abusive he is. Ellen meet Newland Archer May’s fiancé and there is a n immediate attraction but Ellen refuses to let anything become of this because of her love and respect for her cousin, although Newland feels so attracted to her he wants to speed up his marriage to May but May refuses. Once May realizes the attraction between her cousin and fiancé and decides to go ahead and move up the wedding. The family has also realized the attraction and decides Ellen needs to go back to England. Newland and May do get married but Newland never loves her in the way he loves Ellen. Newland and May have two children a boy Dallas and a girl Mary. While nursing her third child back to health May dies and on her death bed she tells her son Dallas about the sacrifice that his father made for her honor. Dallas and Newland go to England; it has been 26 years since Newland had seen Ellen and he wanted to remember that love so he didn’t go see her.
Personal Review: This was a beautiful love story but of course we always want love stories to turn out where the ones in love fall in love and stay in love forever. Not in this case, Newland marries the woman that society expects, has an OK life but always loves May’s cousin Ellen. During the story you see what Newland goes through to be with Ellen but she always refuses to have a one-time affair because of her love for her cousin May. They do end up have one affair, but the family sends her away and May and Newland go on with their life and she goes on and does well with hers. I thought the author did a fantastic job writing this book and I think I will read more of her books. Life is not always the way we expect and this story shows how.
Book: Parrot In The Oven
Citation: Martinez, V. (1998) Parrot In the Oven, Carmel, California. Harper Collins Children’s
Genre: Teen Fiction
Awards: National Book Award for Young People of America
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary: Martinez tells a story much like his life and the environment that he grew up around. The protagonist is Manny a fourteen year old young man that lives in a dysfunctional home, his father is an out of work alcoholic that says people are like money, there are million dollar people, thousand dollar people and hundred dollar people. He would say that he was a penny. His brother went from one job to another and seemed to be following in his father’s footsteps. His mother was busy cleaning cleaning cleaning thinking that everything would just be fine if everything sparkled. His sister is the only one that brings money into the house but does not have the guidance from her mother about when to have sex and ends up pregnant with Manny helping her during a miscarriage. Manny fired off a shot gun one time and almost killed his little brother. Manny sees no other way to be part of a family except to join a gang. But there was goodness about Manny and the gang idea did not take hold of him for long. That’s not what Manny wants for himself. For his future.
Personal Review: Many young adults or teenagers could relate to this book. It’s a young man, Manny who is raised in a dysfunctional home and a very poor neighborhood. His father is an unemployed drunk and his brother not far behind. As you read the pages, even I raised many years ago could relate to a lot of the way Manny felt searching for who he was, for his identity. Without a role model to do this so no other choice in order to feel part of a family was to join a gang, but Manny was a good soul and made the decision not to go down that path. One of the parts of the book I really enjoyed that I have never seen another author do is the foot notes at the bottom of each page explaining the lingo he used for example, splashed meant pulled, full of cement meant not being able to move. And all these different phrases were bolded on the page.
Book: all the broken pieces
Citation: Burg, A.E. (2009) all the broken pieces, Scholastic Press
Genre: Poetry
Awards: Best Book for Young Adults
Grade Level: 7-12
Summary: This book is written in a novel way of reading but in poetry stanza's. It is about a Vietnamese boy, Matt Pin who went through the Vietnam war. He saw his little two year old sisters legs blown off and saw more than any person should see especially a 10 year old boy. His mother sent him to America because his father was an American soldier. He was adopted by two wonder people who later had another son. His was always worried that his adoptive parents would not want him anymore especially after his little brother was born. His mother and father never gave him any reason to feel that way, but he did. His father taught him how to play baseball and he was an amazing pitcher, but some of the boys were real mean to him one in particular would tell him that it was his fault that his brother had died in the war. And they would call him names like frog face. One of his father's friends who had survived the Viet Nam war started taking Matt to some of the support meetings, Matt got to know some of the veterans. His coach, who is very fond of Matt, got very ill with cancer so one of the Viet Nam vets who was in a wheel chair became his coach. The new coach found a way to bring these two boys together by making them work together on a baseball project. It all ends where Matt and the boy who lost his brother in Viet Nam became pretty good friends and Matt was never afraid of losing his parents again.
Personal Review: Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. Of course I was born in 1953 so I am very familiar with the Vietnam war. I have a brother who survived the Vietnam war. Burg does such a fantastic job in writing this story. I could see where any teenager or young adult would surely benefit from reading this book, it explains what the Vietnamese people went through and our soldiers when they came home from the war. Our student's can't imagine what it was like or what any war is like. This book is easy to read and is very detailed in the love and feelings that each character has. I loved reading it and I have recommended it to several people already.
Book: A Light in the Attic
Citation: Silverstein, S. (1981) A Light in the Attic, New York, NY, HarperCollinsPublishers
Genre: Poetry
Grade Level: 7-12
Awards: Journals Best Books Award
Summary: A Light in the Attic is a book of 168 pages of poems and amazing illustrations. Silverstein writes some of the funniest, silliest poems but yet everyone could relate to every single one of them. Some of them people might think are not appropriate for all children and that is why they are recommend for pre-teen and teenagers and on up. Some of the poems were just unbelievable. It will amaze the reader that an author like Silverstein can come up with so many fantastic and entertaining poems. The only way to explain the book would be to give some examples of the names of the poems, Adventures of a Frisbee, Overdues, Snap!, Crowded tub. And everyone of these poems has a marvelous illustration, some are absolutely hilarious
.
Personal Review: This book was absolutely a pleasure for me to read. Never ending hilarious illustrations and poetry. It can remind most anyone reading it that one of these poems might had been an experience that he might have experienced. It's not a book that would teach a student anything but to love to read, because it is so funny and the illustrations are so entertaining that you can't put it down so the reader is learning poetry and to read fluently, and of course sometimes you have to read the poem twice to understand it.
Book: The Giver
Citation: Lowry,L (1993. The Giver. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Genre: Fantasy
Interest Level: 3rd
Awards: 1994 Newberry Medal and has sold over 5.3 million copies
Summary: Lowry's The Giver is set in a society which is at first presented as a utopian society and gradually appears more and more dystopian. The book is about a boy named Jonas through the age of twelve. The society has eliminated pain and strife by converting to "Sameness" a plan that has also eradicated any emotion he might have. Jonas is selected to be the "Receiver of Memory" this is the person who stores all the past memories before "Sameness". Then Jonas meets The Giver. The Giver is able to break some rules so Jonas becomes very confused. He faces a big decision, does he stay in this safe community or does he run away in pursuit of a life of love, differences, choices and knowledge, but danger also.
Personal Preview: A man name Jonas lives in a utopian community with no pain or fear. Whatever he needs to get by, it all is given to him, and not only that, his decisions too are made for him. Then when he turned twelve he was chosen to begin training with The Giver. the overall meaning of Jonas 's training is to expose the truth about the world and utopian community, and in the end Jonas has a huge decision to make. This book is good to use in a whole class reading for inference lessons, because together the class can discuss and analyze what they think the story is going to be about.
Book: Peter Pan
Citation: Disney, R (2007). Walt Disney's Peter Pan (Disney Peter Pan, Florida: Golden Disney
Genre: Fantasy
Grade Level: 6th
Awards: ?
Summary: This is a story of an action that is about to take place "has happened before", and will happen again." Wendy is telling her brothers the story of Peter Pan, while her parents are getting ready to go out for the night. Her father who was angry and said that Wendy was too old to be staying with the boys in the nursery and that she will stay in a room of her own. That night the are visited by Peter Pan himself, who teaches them to fly with the help of his friend Tinker Bell, and takes them to the land of Never Land. Peter Pan is being sought out by the evil Pirate Captain Hook. This book takes the reader on a great adventure of good and evil, at the end the children's parents return home from the party to find Wendy not in her bed, but sleeping a the open window. The parents look out the window and see what looks like a pirates ship. Mr. Darling softens his decision on Wendy not sleeping in the nursery, he recognizes the ship from his own childhood.
Personal Review: One night when Wendy was telling her two younger brothers a story of a boy named Peter Pan, out of the blue he appears. Peter Pan takes Wendy and her brothers on a little adventure, and on this adventure they come across some very friendly people, also a mean man
This man was a pirate who had taken this girl and the group of kids, Peter follows them to help save her, but end up being taken as well. Great for enhancing young readers, this will not only keep them entertained, but also help them improve their reading by challenging them a little with more words. I must have seen this dozens of times as a young girl, I was born in 1953 so I have read and seen many versions of this fantastic fantasy.
Book: Anne Frank, The Diary of A Young Girl
Citation: Frank, A (2003). Anne Frank's tales from the secret annex, New York. Bantam
Genre: Non- Fiction
Awards: Yalsa Best Book for Young Adults and unfortunately Anne Frank never received any awards for her book personally, but the book has won many awards.
Grade Level: 6th
Summary: The Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank details approximately two years of the life a Jewish teenager during World War II. During much of the time period covered by her journal, Anne and her family are in hiding in an attempt to escape Hitler's ant-Jewish laws and genocidal desires. Anne's diary end abruptly in August, of 1944. On that day she and her family are taken into custody by the German and transported to concentration camps. Anne shows her life before and after the hiding. She was a normal, adorable teenager with all the wants and desires that all teenagers have.
Personal Review: Anne Frank had the first-hand experience of what life was once like in the early 1940's. Anne and her faily do what they could to hide away from the Nazi's who were taking all Jews to the concentration camps, where they were mistreated horribly. Anne documented what things were like on her journey day by day and how she had to live in fear of ever being caught. The family goes through frightening fights and threats with the other family they were hiding with, and do the best to keep calm. Then one day their fear fell deeper when they meet eye to eye with the enemy. This book is good to use in a high school history class, also a English class. Not only will students learn about past history, but also an English class. Not only will students learn about past history, but also get the feeling of being in that characters shoes and understand the story more in a different perspective. A great book for teenagers.
Book: Breaking Night
Citation: Murray, L. (2010. Breaking Night. New York: Hyperion
Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 9th
Awards: Has won many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize.
Summary: Breaking Night is a memoir of a young woman who at age fifteen was living on the streets, and who eventually made it into Harvard. Liz Murray lived in the Bronx, was born to loving parents but they were addicted to drugs. Liz was taunted at school for her dirty clothing and lice-infested hair, eventually she had skipped so many classes she was put into a girl's home. At age 15 Liz found herself living on the streets. When Liz's mother dies from AIDS she decides to take control of her own life and go back to high school, often doing her assignments in the hallways and subway stations where she slept. Against all odds Liz graduates at the top of her class and enters Harvard University.
Person Review: Growing up with unstable family, fifteen year old Liz Murray soon ends up on the streets with no one to care for her. Liz's parents are both drug addicts who love her, but yet a can't seem to get better for their daughter. After Liz's mother dies from AIDS, she takes matters into her own hands. Liz goes back to high school finishes early, and with all of her hard work she gets into one of the biggest colleges out there, Harvard. Although this is a sad book, it is good for students to read and see that no matter where you come from you can make it somewhere. This book can be used in an English class where you have students write a paper reflecting on their story and how it compares to Liz's story. There a lot of kids in this area that can relate to Liz.